Circus skills workshops, free harbour cruises, superhero marching bands and more, we’re celebrating Wynyard Quarter’s 4th birthday

Bubble blowing, chalk stencilling, street food, karaoke and a very special day time screening of The Lego Movie will mark the fourth birthday of the revitalised Wynyard Quarter this Saturday.

It’s been four years since the opening up of the western edge of Auckland’s waterfront and the successful completion of stage one of what is New Zealand’s largest urban regeneration project outside of Christchurch.

After a period of intense planning and a successful global search for development partners since then, Aucklanders will soon be able to experience a new paradigm of sustainable, quality city living in Wynyard Quarter.

Five sites in the former industrial space are earmarked for residential development over the next ten years, with the developer Willis Bond & Co partnering with the landowner Waterfront Auckland to deliver over 500 dwellings of various types.

The 3.5 hectare block of land in the heart of Wynyard Quarter will also include 48,000 square metres of commercial and shared working space, along with a five star hotel and 600 seat ASB Waterfront Theatre.

Work has already begun on the road works and public spaces in the area in preparation for the additional 1,000 residents and 10,000 more workers expected to be based in the area in five years’ time.

Waterfront Auckland Chief Executive John Dalzell says with work getting underway on stage two it’s fitting to take a moment to reflect and celebrate what’s been achieved here to date.

“When the revitalised Jellicoe Street precinct opened to the public back in August 2011, it was hugely heartening to see Aucklanders embracing and reconnecting with this part of the waterfront.”

“Wynyard Quarter’s birthday is a celebration of where we have come from and the atmosphere we have created down here and what we can look forward to seeing in the future. It’s also a perfect opportunity for Aucklanders to get out and enjoy their public spaces and the great range of activities on offer throughout the day.”

Wynyard Quarter birthday programme

Bikes & Bends Yoga Taster
Viaduct Events Centre viewing platform/Karanga Plaza – 8am-8.45am
If you have a love for yoga and two wheeled transportation, grab your bike, park up and embrace your inner zen with Bikes & Bends.

Creative activity time with ScribbleAKL
Karanga Plaza & The Gantry – 9.30am-3.30pm
Get involved with a series of fun and thoughtful activities for both kids and adults right on the water’s edge. Bubble blowing, chalk stencilling and giant colouring-in images to share your future thoughts for Auckland.

Wild Streets
Jellicoe plaza & Daldy St – 9.30am-3.30pm
Games for families and game for grown ups. Come play with the Wild Streets team - pirates, horse-racing, rainbows, bees and more! For more information visit their website.

Workshops on the Wharf – photo booth
Play space, Silo Park – 9.30am-11.30am
Dress up and pose for the Brilliant Birthday Photo Booth

Workshops on the Wharf – circus skills
Play space, Silo Park – 11.30am-1pm & 2pm-3.30pm
Test your circus performing skills.

Sealink Cruises
From Wynyard Wharf - 10.30am - 1.30pm
The fabulous folk at Sealink are offering free harbour cruises on their 100 seater ferry from Wynyard Wharf. For more information visit the website.

The Roots Creative Entrepreneurs
Silo Park - 10.30am - 3.30pm
A greenhouse made from 4,000 upcycled bottles from last year's 'Message in a Bottle' project. Head along to the Parklet on Jellicoe St and take part in workshops, or have a go on the tyre swings on the Gantry. For more information visit their website.

Maritime Museum presents Kiwis at Sea
Eastern Edge of Halsey Wharf (next to the VEC) – 11am-4pm
Experience what life would be like on an early immigrant ship in Aotearoa. Meet fellow ‘passengers’ on board and keep boredom at bay with various pastimes and diversions from yesteryear. Have a go on the piano, challenge a friend to a game of chess or quoits and write postcards to loved ones on dry land. For more information visit their website. http://www.maritimemuseum.co.nz/

Maritime Museum presents SS Puke sailings
Viaduct- 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm
The cutest steam ship you’ll ever sail on will be steaming up to run trips in the Viaduct (gold coin donation). First in first served!

Maritime Museum presents Sea Shanties
Eastern Edge of Halsey Wharf (next to the VEC – 1pm)
Don’t miss the Maritime Crew performing traditional shanties (the working songs from the days of tall ships) and contemporary songs of the sea.

Storytime on the Dockline Tram
Daldy Street – 11am-3pm
Get the kids aboard the historic Auckland Dockline Tram and sit back, relax and settle in for storytime with Auckland Libraries.

Live Carving: Whaotapu
Silo 6 – 11am-4pm
See traditional live authentic Maori carving and learn more about this art form. Nga Whaotapu o Tamaki Makaurau was created to counteract the loss of Auckland’s precious carving techniques and discipline and its associated tikanga. Watch carvers from Auckland’s tribes as they work together to keep the craft alive.

Mustard Seed Project exhibit
Silo 6 – 11am-4pm
Catch a special one day exhibition from the Social Enterprise – the Mustard Seed Project.

Street food and sounds
Silo Park – from 11am
Lunch time at Silo Park is sorted with an eclectic line-up of street food, container bar and DJ.

Superhero Marching Band
North Wharf – 12pm-1pm & 1.30pm-2.30pm
See all your favourite superhero’s up close and personal with the Superhero Marching Band

Lantern Making Workshop
Karanga Plaza – 1pm-3pm

The lantern making workshop has become a tradition of Wynyard Quarter celebrations. Make and decorate your very own lantern to take home.

Silo Cinema – The Lego Movie
Silo Park - 3.30pm-5.30pm
Settle in for a Silo Cinema special, The Lego Movie.
Emmet (Chris Pratt), an ordinary LEGO figurine who always follows the rules, is mistakenly identified as the Special -- an extraordinary being and the key to saving the world.

ends

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