Click to enlarge

Monday 16 June 2008

Auckland on board for second SeePort Week

When Ports of Auckland opened its gates for SeePort Week more than 3000 Aucklanders gladly accepted the invitation to go behind the Red Fence.

Ports of Auckland Managing Director Jens Madsen said he was delighted with the success of the event, which saw an outstanding 40% increase in attendance over the previous year.

“It was a pleasure to have so many of our neighbours visit the Port during SeePort Week, and to have hosted 1200 more community members this year than we did for the inaugural event is just fantastic."

Staff from all areas of the organisation, including Mr Madsen, volunteered as guides on more than 40 SeePort Tours throughout the nine day event - providing a truly ‘up close and personal’ experience for their guests.

SeePort Bus and Boat Tours brought Aucklanders as close as possible to ships, cranes and straddle carriers - bringing facts and figures about New Zealand’s biggest and busiest port to life.

SeePort Bus Tours were an especially rare opportunity for the Auckland public to go inside the Port facility, an area normally restricted by international security and bio-security regulations and safety concerns.

“We offer free weekly Port Boat Tours throughout the year, but SeePort Week is a unique occasion when added Bus Tours enable an even closer view of operations, still in a safe and secure way. The Bus Tours were very popular so we intend to offer even more next year."

The Port’s dancing duo, tugboats Waipapa and Waka Kume, also ventured out to play for five public displays, entertaining all ages with spins, sideways slides and the occasional bump.

“Judging by comments from feedback forms, Aucklanders found the tours both entertaining and informative, and have a new appreciation of the port’s importance to the city."

“I think many of my colleagues and I enjoyed the event as much as our guests did. SeePort Week is an annual event and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year,” said Mr Madsen.

SeePort Second Chance draw:

With more than 3000 people enjoying a SeePort Bus or Boat tour, the majority of SeePort Tours were fully booked! So, if you missed SeePort Week 2008... The Port has organised a second chance for one lucky winner and three guests to enjoy their very own SeePort experience!

The exclusive excursion will include:

• A guided tour by a Port staff member ‘behind the Red Fence’, with sightseeing around the Auckland seaport facility by van

• A visit to the new Control and Planning tower where Port staff will demonstrate the innovative technology used to manage complex container terminal operations

• The winner’s choice of either a ride on a 5000-horsepower tugboat or a ‘climb’ up one of the Port’s 100-metre tall container cranes.

To enter for a chance to win, simply send an email with your full name, address, and contact phone number to seeport[at]poal.co.nz or leave a message with the same details on 0800 AK PORT.

Entries close on 30 June, with the winner being chosen by lucky draw from the ‘hard hat’ and notified shortly thereafter.

See the Ports of Auckland website at www.poal.co.nz for more information and terms and conditions.

ENDS

© Scoop Media