A sixth year of seaside fun

Wednesday, 16 January 2019

New Zealand’s largest maritime event returns to Auckland’s waterfront for a sixth year of seaside fun!

Ports of Auckland’s SeePort Festival is a three-day celebration of Auckland City’s beautiful waterfront and rich maritime heritage. The family-friendly festival is one of New Zealand’s largest free events, returning in 2019 for a sixth year of seaside fun.

Hot on the heels of a record-breaking 2018 event, which saw over 70,000 people visit the port over the long weekend, 2019 is set to be bigger and better. Expect to see Captain Cook and Marsden wharves transformed into a bustling summer carnival with rides, simulators, virtual reality, tours and food aplenty from hot dogs to hāngi and everything in-between.

The Royal New Zealand Navy returns this year as the Ports of Auckland’s major supporting partner with a number of capabilities on display throughout the weekend.

Sections of HMNZS Canterbury will be open to the public to learn about this key integrated defence capability on international operations and exercises, and the role she also plays in delivering humanitarian assistance and disaster relief both at home and to our Pacific Island neighbours when called upon. The crew of Canterburyare looking forward to meeting visitors and answering any questions they have.

The Navy will also have on display high-speed Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats and in-air and on-ground Seasprite helicopter demonstrations.

The Navy’s commitment to SeePort Festival this year as supporting partner is the first of a three year agreement between them and the Ports of Auckland.

Across the three days, festival visitors can enjoy activities, displays and tours including sailings on the William C Daldy steam tugboat and the Maritime Museum’sTed Ashby. They will be joined by a number of their waterfront partners and neighbours including; KiwiRail, New Zealand Customs, Holcim Cement, Coastguard, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust, Scouts, Sanford, Spirit of Adventure Trust and more. Les Mills Britomart will hit the wharf for the first time on Auckland Anniversary Day to bring some of their renowned fitness classes outdoors.

Also joining the festival for the first time, the Auckland Busker’s Festival will be showcasing an unmissable line-up of international and local performers every afternoon from right inside the Quay Street gates. Music lovers, rejoice! The main stage will also host winners of the 2018 RNZ’s Battle of the Cover Bands, White Chapel Jak, amongst up and coming local talent.

An on-site bar will open daily, allowing festival-goers to enjoy a refreshing beverage from the heart of the wharf for the first time in SeePort history.

As the sun sets on the Sunday evening, visitors will be treated once again to a stellar performance from the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and iconic Kiwi vocalists; The Ladykillers. The concert will end with a bang as fireworks are set off high above the Waitematā Harbour.

SeePort Festival gives Aucklanders the chance to learn, explore, eat and be entertained over the only three days of the year the port is open to the public. See a full schedule of events at www.seeport.co.nz

WHEN: Saturday, 26 January – Monday, 28 January, 9am to 4pm. The SeePort Sunset Symphony & Fireworks will take place from 6pm on Sunday, 27 January.

WHERE: Captain Cook and Marsden wharves, opposite Britomart on Quay Street. Enter the wharves from the Captain Cook gates on Quay Street, or through the gate connecting neighbouring Queens Wharf.

WHY: Ports of Auckland belongs to the people of Auckland. SeePort Festival allows Aucklanders the chance to discover the port, their role in the community and how it works alongside their partners to bring us the goods we use every day.

BOOKINGS: SeePort is a free-entry event. Rides, tours and activities are also free with the exception of Heletranz helicopter rides, William C Daldy and Ted Ashby sailings, and Capacity & Planning Tower tours. Helicopter rides can only be booked at the event. Bookings for other tours and sailings can be made in advance online, see www.seeport.co.nz for details.

VISUALS: Imagery can be found on Hightail here (please note files will expire on Wednesday, 23 January) View video on YouTube here.

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