The story behind Auckland’s annual celebration and the events to look out for during the long weekend
Several months before the Queen formally declared New Zealand to be a Crown colony, William Hobson, New Zealand’s first governor, was asked to choose a site for his new capital. He established Auckland—a name given to the settlement after his patron Lord Auckland, first Lord of the Admiralty—as the colony’s capital in 1841. A year later, the governor established Auckland Anniversary as a public holiday, which is now observed on the Monday closest to January 29—the day Hobson came to Bay of Islands in 1840.
This year marks the 176th anniversary of Auckland—a commemoration of the day the province was founded. Over the years, the day has come to represent the many milestones in the creation and development of Tamaki Makaurau. This weekend, thousands of Aucklanders will head to the city to mark the anniversary and celebrate yet another milestone achieved by New Zealand’s largest city.
Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta
The highlight of the celebrations in the City of Sails is the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta that takes place every year. One of the biggest one-day sailing regattas, the roots of the tradition lie in a three-race event that took place in 1840 on the Waitemata Harbour when the representatives of the then Lieutenant Governor William Hobson rowed ashore.
Attracting a huge fleet of vessels, the regatta includes a tugboat race—which arrived on the scene in 2007—dragon boating, waka ama and remote control sailing. The regatta will take place on Monday, February 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m at Waitemata and Viaduct Harbour.
ASB Auckland Seafood Festival
Soak in the sun and savour the best of New Zealand’s seafood at the four-day seafood celebration that returns to Halsey Wharf, Wynyard Quarter this year. From steamed mussels, whitebait fritters, Bluff oysters, fish fillets and roasted groper belly, this year’s festival includes more than 100 delicious seafood dishes along with demonstrations from top chefs. With the view of Waitemata Harbour, relax with a glass of wine of chilled beer that will be served alongside live music and entertainment.
The ASB Auckland Seafood Festival will take place from Friday, January 29 to Monday, February 1. Pre-sale tickets are priced at $20 and on the door sales are available for $25. If you’re heading to the waterfront in a group of six, get the tickets for $15 each. Entry is free for children aged 12 and below.
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
It began in 2004 as a series of weekly shows in Melbourne, and today has grown into one of the most sought-after international festivals featuring new and revered music. Over the years, the festival spread it wings across different venues and by 2009, their reach had expanded to include shows in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. The following year, the festival made its debut in Auckland with a diverse line-up.
This year, the festival kicks off with its first event in New Zealand on February 1 and will feature Beach House, Courtney Barnett, Vince Staples and CHVRCHES. Tickets are priced at $149.50. The festival will take place at Silo Park, Auckland CBD from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
International Buskers Festival
Catch some of the most impressive street performers at the 16th annual International Buskers Festival from January 29 to February 1. The vibrant international street performers to hit the streets from Viaduct to Aotea Square include acrobats, hula hoop artists, comedians, magicians and contortionists. Venues include Karanga Plaza, Market Square, Eastern Viaduct, Princes Wharf, Queens Wharf, Downtown Shopping Centre and Aotea Square. Check aucklandbuskersfestival.co.nz for more details on show timings.
Tamaki Herenga Waka festival
A celebration of Auckland’s Maori culture, the Tamaki Harenga Waka festival will provide a peek into Tamaki Makaurau’s unique Maori history, heritage and culture through Maori games, storytelling and workshops. Making its debut this year, the festival will be spread across three days and will see performances from established and emerging Maori musicians along with traditional and modern kappa haka performances. Don’t forget to savour the delicious kai prepared by Maori chefs and shop for authentic arts and crafts.
The festival will take place from Saturday, January 30 to February 1 at The Cloud, Queens Wharf.
Ports of Auckland SeePort
Discover Auckland’s port from land, sky and sea at the annual celebration of the shipping industry and maritime heritage. The SeePort festival gives an opportunity to experience the port from behind the iconic Red Fence. Take a tour through bus or boats or through a scenic flight over the Waitemata Harbour. Or you could immerse yourself in a world of trade with Maritime Museum’s free interactive game. Turn back the hands of the clock and tour Auckland’s port on one of the first tugboats. The Royal New Zealand Navy will also be putting on displays on their RHIB boats.
And as the sun sets on Sunday, there will be a free concert from the Auckland Symphony Orchestra featuring New Zealand-born singer and songwriter Lisa Crawley. The night will come to an end with a display of fireworks on the wharf. The festival will take place from Saturday, January 30 to February 1.