Telecom Tree To Light Up Wellington Waterfront This Christmas

Wellingtonians will have a special place to leave their wish for Santa
this year with the arrival of a 7-storey high Christmas Tree made from
lights on Wellington’s waterfront.

Inspired by Wellingtonian Joe Bleakley, the 26 metre-high Telecom Tree is
made up of 37,000 lights, which provide 16 million possible colour
combinations. A space underneath, which holds 200 people, provides an
enchanting view of the light show.

Telecom’s decision to commission a “travelling” tree, to be based in Frank
Kitts Park from December 1, follows the overwhelming success of the first
Telecom Tree in Auckland’s Victoria Park, which was visited by more than
80,000 people in the lead-up to Christmas last year.

Telecom Retail CEO Alan Gourdie says the Telecom Tree will add a touch of
magic to downtown Wellington.

“Wellington is renowned for embracing events in the City; we are very
excited to be introducing the Telecom Tree to the calendar. Our thanks to
the Wellington City Council for their support in helping us secure such a
wonderful space for the Tree in Frank Kitts Park. It will be a magical
destination for families to share a unique Christmas experience.” says
Alan Gourdie.

Mayor Kerry Prendergast says: “Christmas is a magical time of the year and
this tree will add a new dimension for Wellingtonians and visitors alike.
“I can’t wait to see it towering over Frank Kitts Park. As well as adding
spectacle to the season, it will bring home the true meaning of giving at
Christmas and encourage us all to help a fantastic cause in Women’s
Refuge.

“It will also act as a fantastic navigational landmark for Father
Christmas and his reindeer when they are flying over Wellington on
Christmas Eve.”

The dedicated Telecom Santa Line phone boxes at the base of the Telecom
Tree allow children to ring the North Pole direct, with their voices
magically activating the lights running from their phone box to the star
at the top of the tree.

Visitors to the Wellington Telecom Tree are invited to bring gifts of toys
to leave under the Tree. Women’s Refuge will distribute those gifts to
children in their homes around New Zealand in time for Christmas morning.

The original Telecom Tree will this year be located at Western Park on
Auckland’s Ponsonby Road. Its opening light show will take place on
Saturday 28 November, with special light shows each day in December. The
Auckland Telecom Tree will also act as a collection point for old mobile
phones, which are re-cycled to raise money for Starship hospital.

For those who can’t make it to either of the Telecom Trees, the nationwide
Santa Line will still take Christmas wish-lists direct to Santa. Last
year there were 999,672 calls made from right across New Zealand. Hopeful
children (and adults!) will again be able to call Santa to tell him they’
ve been good and what they’re hoping for on 0800 222 222. Or they can
submit their request online at www.telecomtree.co.nz.

Visit www.telecomtree.co.nz for more information.

Where: At Frank Kitts Park, Wellington CBD.
When: From 1 December to 26 December with lightshows from 6pm till
midnight every day, and extra special events on 1 December and Christmas
Eve.

Caption: Wellington’s Telecom Tree will be the same as the Telecom Tree
which lit up Auckland’s Victoria Park last year

ENDS

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