Friday 5 February 2016
Media Release

Over 60,000 visit Ports of Auckland open days

More than 60,000 people visited Ports of Auckland’s annual open weekend, SeePort, held at Captain Cook wharf over Auckland Anniversary weekend, 30 January to 1 February 2016.

Ports of Auckland Chief Executive, Tony Gibson, was thrilled with community’s response.

“We invite Aucklanders down to SeePort each year to learn about and celebrate their port which has grown in tandem with our city for 176 years. To host more than 60,000 people on Captain Cook wharf and see them engage with our people and maritime partners is fantastic” he said.

The three day festival provides free boat and bus tours of the port, heritage sailings, free fun for kids, helicopter rides and more, showcasing the role of the port in Auckland. On-board tours of the port’s newest tugboat, Hauraki, proved particularly popular with port staff showing over 2,000 people through the tug.

On Sunday, Ports of Auckland sponsored the Sunset Symphony & Fireworks, featuring the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and guest vocalist Lisa Crawley. 6,000 people came to Captain Cook wharf with picnics and rugs to enjoy the show.

The Royal New Zealand Navy returned to the event holding an open day on their off-shore patrol vessel, the HMNZS WELLINGTON, a popular attraction with queues stretching along the wharf. Also popular with visitors were the Port’s free boat and bus tours which ran daily.

SeePort will return to Captain Cook wharf over Auckland Anniversary weekend in 2017.

ENDS

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