Monday 30 July 2012
Wynyard Quarter celebrates first birthday

Get out your party poppers and your winter woollies as the newest Auckland waterfront destination, Wynyard Quarter, celebrates its first birthday this weekend.

On Saturday 6 August 2011, the area previously known more for its tank farm and fish market, became a vibrant mix of public spaces and restaurants overnight.

Since then over 1.3 million people have visited with 40% of visitors in a recent UMR survey coming down to Wynyard Quarter at least once a fortnight and 75% of visitors confirming they were more than satisfied with the experience.

The area has also won critical acclaim winning top honours in the Urban Land Developments category at the 2012 New Zealand Property Council Awards and an urban design framework for the area was recently awarded by the NZ Institute of Architects.

Council organisation Waterfront Auckland is responsible for the development of the area including what was opened last year: Silo Park, the North Wharf bars and eateries, Karanga Plaza, the heritage trams, the Wynyard Crossing Bridge and the new Viaduct Events Centre. Chief Executive John Dalzell says we’ve been delighted with the public response to what’s been achieved to date.

“We’ve been blown away with the way locals and visitors to Auckland have taken to this new part of the city, it got off to roaring start with the Rugby World Cup and has continued ever since.”

“Before August last year, the Wynyard Quarter was relatively unknown. Now, this prime waterfront location has changed for the good and a walk along the North Wharf promenade and a drink or meal at the eateries has become a quintessential Auckland experience.”

“With North Wharf restaurants continuing to do a fantastic trade and ongoing activation through workshops, movies and concerts, the space will continue to thrive well into the future and the exciting thing is that this is just the first stage of the area’s revitalisation”.

Starting next year, with upgrades to Daldy and Halsey streets and plans for the initial development of an innovation hub, over the next 20 years around 18.5 hectares of Wynyard Quarter will be transformed into a harbour-side community with parks, apartments, shops and offices alongside the traditional marine and fishing industries.

But this weekend it’s all about first birthday celebrations as Wynyard Quarter plays host this Saturday 4 August to a day of free activities for the whole family as outlined below:

Dawn Chorus | 7am
Get up early and you will be rewarded. Join us for a singalong at sunrise in Karanga Plaza to welcome in the new day and a new year for Wynyard Quarter. It will be a choral delight with a few surprises and famous faces thrown in for good measure.

Walking tours | 10am – 4pm
Discover some of the untold stories and little known facts about the area with a walking tour. Tours leave from the Karanga Kiosk on the hour until 4pm.

Silo Climbs and Silo- 6 Pack Tours | 10am – 4pm
Scale the heights of the Silo 6-pack and you will be rewarded with a spectacular view over the harbour and across the city. Take a look inside the majestic Silo-6 pack and learn what is planned for the next phase of development within the Wynyard Quarter.

Welcome home of William C Daldy | 10am – 5pm
The William C Daldy will be officially welcomed home to her new berth on Hobson West in the Viaduct on Saturday 4 August. Built in 1935, the William C Daldy was one of the most powerful ship assist steam tugs built, with a career spanning 41 years.
She will be open to the public for viewings on Saturday 4 August and for public sailings on Sunday 5 August.

Voyager NZ Maritime Museum | Open Weekend

Voyager opens their doors to all for the weekend of Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th August.
A unique opportunity for visitors to visit the galleries for free and follow a specially designed trail that celebrates the changing face of Auckland’s waterfront.
Entry points will be available all along the western side of Hobson Wharf, as the trail takes you down to visit William C Daldy in her new berth.

SS Puke steaming trips | 11.00am – 1.00pm and 2.00 – 3.30pm
After helping welcome the William C Daldy to her new home at Hobson Wharf SS Puke will be running trips from the Tidal Steps at Karanga Plaza, Wynyard Quarter on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th August. Steaming trips run between $1 for children / $2 for adults

Classic Yacht display | 10am – 5pm
Take a look inside some beautiful classic yachts on display in their new home at Silo Marina.

Wynyard Explorer| 10am – 5pm
Kids, jump on the tram and become a Wynyard Explorer. All explorers will be given a map when they hop aboard the tram. With fun questions to answer and clues to collect at each stop along the way as you learn about the Trams and Wynyard Quarter.

Lantern making workshop | 2pm – 5.00pm
Lantern launching ceremony |5.30pm

Make and decorate your very own lantern and launch it from the Tidal Steps with a special lantern launching ceremony at dusk.

Silo Cinema | 6pm
Bring a rug and hot water bottle and watch the family friendly The Incredibles (2004) projected onto Silo 7.

Throughout the day there will party games and food suitable for a first birthday! For more information go to www.yourwaterfront.co.nz

ENDS

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