History, spectacle to mark Auckland's 'coming of age' 175th anniversary

ASB chief executive Barbara Chapman. Photo / Richard Robinson

Thousands of Aucklanders are expected to head downtown on Anniversary Weekend for traffic-stopping, "time-travel" celebrations of the city's 175th anniversary.

The centrepiece of the celebrations, from January 24 to 26, will be a new exhibition examining our past by events guru Michael Mizrahi, the man behind the 2011 Rugby World Cup opening ceremony, the Louis Vuitton 150th celebrations, Tourism NZ's globe-trotting giant rugby ball, the millennium celebrations and the launch of the Warriors.

The large-scale exhibition, in a never-before-seen immersive multimedia context, will be held at Shed 10 and Queens Wharf as a tribute to Aucklanders who have played a part in the region's history.

As part of the free, three-day celebrations, held in partnership with ASB, Mizrahi will feature stories told on screen about the people who have shaped Auckland.

Mayor Len Brown says: "Auckland is coming of age, and you can feel a renewed sense of pride in our place and ourselves. The 175th anniversary is an important milestone for us."

Another highlight will be Sunday evening's free concert from HMNZS Otago, berthed at Queens Wharf.

Organised by musician Tama Waipara, a selection of bands will bring a local flavour to the celebration. The concert will end with spectacular fireworks from barges in the harbour and the Sky Tower.

Other events as a backdrop to celebrations include the famed Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, Seeport, ASB Auckland Seafood Festival, the International Buskers Festival, and the St Jerome's Laneway Festival.

ASB chief executive Barbara Chapman said: "Given ASB has been a key part of Auckland for over 165 years, we're proud to be working with Auckland Council to celebrate Auckland's amazing journey."

Queens Wharf events are open from 10am to 6pm Saturday, 10am to 10pm Sunday and 10am to 6pm Monday. The Shed 10 multimedia exhibition will be open to the public all three days from noon-6pm. HMNZS Otago will be open from 10am to 6pm Saturday and 10am to 3pm Sunday. The concert will take place on Sunday from 5.30pm to 9.30pm, with the harbour/Sky Tower fireworks display starting at 9.30pm.

Quay St will be closed to traffic from lower Albert St to Commerce St across the whole weekend.

This story is part of a content partnership with Auckland Council and ASB.