Thursday 5 July

The sky above Wellington Harbour is set to explode with Matariki stars this Saturday, with the Sky Show finale of a successful month of Matariki events.

Fireworks organisers are promising some new effects for Saturday evening’s show, which will precede the Hurricanes playing the Blues at Westpac Stadium.

This is the first time the Sky Show will be held mid-year, and the earlier start time of 6.30pm means more families will be able to enjoy the largest annual council-produced fireworks display in the country.

“The Sky Show is the climax to Wellington City Council’s inaugural month-long Matariki ki Pōneke, or Māori New Year, celebrations,” Wellington Mayor Justin Lester says.

“ReCut, the Matariki Harbour Challenge, Ahi Kā and the dozens of smaller Matariki events have really got Wellington humming over the last month.

“Saturday’s fireworks ends our Matariki events and will launch us into the New Year with a bang. Matariki in Wellington will only get bigger and better in the future.”

Pyrostar International owner Robert McDermott has been the artistic director behind the Wellington Sky Show fireworks since 1995.

“New effects reflecting the Matariki theme will be revealed on Saturday,” he says. “There’ll be seven firing patterns to represent the Matariki constellation, and beautiful shell-patterned effects featuring seven point stars. There’ll also be a new launch spot closer to Frank Kitt’s Park that will feature the Matariki star.”

Event Producer Delia Shanly reminds people to also tune in to The Breeze (94.1FM and 98.5FM) or More FM (99.7FM and 95.3FM) to hear the simulcast soundtrack as you watch the show.

“We’ve created a very special Matariki soundtrack this year and this adds a whole extra dimension of magic to the display.

“To get the best synchronisation of sound and the fireworks it is best to listen to it on terrestrial radio to avoid any streaming delay.”

Other activities on Wellington waterfront between Frank Kitts Park and Te Papa promenade include:

• Nearly 20 food trucks operating from 3pm to 7.30pm – come on down early for dinner

• A NZ Chocolate Festival Pop-up

• The Paradice Ice Skating Rink operating 10am to 10pm at Odlins Plaza

The Sky Show kicks-off on Saturday 7 July 2018, 6.30pm-6.40pm

Postponement date: Sunday 8 July, 6.30pm.

Keep an eye on Council’s social media channels after 4pm for postponement announcements. Full event details, including traffic and public transport news, will be on Wellington City Council’s Sky Show event page.

Meanwhile, Council appreciates that people are concerned about the timing of the Sky Show on Saturday while a southern right whale is visiting Wellington harbour.

We are monitoring the situation along with DOC, and will be taking advice from them regarding this situation. We will keep everyone updated via the Wellington City Council social media channels if anything changes.

ENDS

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