A concrete Sir Ed that towers over us

His sleek, silvery exterior can be seen for miles around. Like a kauri in the middle of brush, the massive construction dwarfs his surroundings. Nowhere in the Southern Hemisphere is there any comparison to his stature.

He is a pencil on the skyline of Auckland. Night provides an even grander spectacle, as he radiates bursts of scarlet, cobalt and jade.

The city cowers under a sea of darkness as it is blanketed by the silhouette of the tower, cast by the amber tinge of the setting sun.

Rosy pink floods the sky as the city packs itself up for the day. Pinpricks of light that are late-night commuters silently speed past, oblivious to his architectural wonder, having seen it all before. To others he is the centre of attention in a city surrounded by volcanoes, but nothing natural can match his magnificence.

The surroundings of the tower are its children; he in turn is their father. Near his base, spiky palm trees and pointed fences rise up to greet him, as he stoops low to shield them from the harsh reality of the open world.

Among them also are golden statues and flowing fountains - none are excluded from his watchful eye and everyone is welcomed into his loving family. You could be forgiven for thinking his concrete pose shows a knowing smile, because long after we are gone, here he still will be, as if a guardian, standing to attention at his eternal post.

A core of celebration, every festivity involves him in some way. Christmas, New Year, Easter and halloween all encompass brilliant explosions of multi-coloured light, set upon the quaint backdrop of the pride of a city. He is the Sir Edmund Hillary of architecture, standing head and shoulders above the rest, escaping into the tranquil sky.

At his base it is a completely different story, with the bustling life of the city the opposite of the calm interior. Breezes waft through the myriad floors and the smell of fresh air greets visitors day after day. Even dining at this structural splendour is an encounter to, quite literally, feast your eyes on.

The internal restaurant is an experience to behold, as you revolve like a record while eating. Bulky panes of glass reveal an uncovered city and gazes disperse as the true spread of Auckland is divulged.

The viewing deck showcases 360-degree views of the picturesque economic hub of New Zealand. Sheer height provides an ideal situation for adrenaline junkies, with a jump off the side a common tourist attraction.

A journey like this is unforgettable, as you become one with him and watch 192m go past you in a blur.

He is a man of the people.

Paul Jackson, Year 12, St Kentigern College