Vector Lights on the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge is celebrating its first birthday this Auckland Anniversary Weekend with a replay of last year’s dazzling opening light show.
The six-minute sustainable show will light up the Waitematā Harbour with references to Tama-Nui te Rā (the sun), Hikohiko (electrical energy) and Hei te Ao Mārama (the future world of light), synced with original sound and music.
The show can be enjoyed at vantage points around the harbour every 15 mins from Friday 25 to Monday 28 January 2019 between 9pm and midnight.
Mayor Phil Goff says, “Watching our iconic harbour bridge light up the Waitematā on a summer evening is a great way to mark Auckland’s 179th anniversary and bring in the long weekend.
“Vector Lights is a good example of Auckland Council working with the private sector to deliver exciting projects that make our city more interesting and vibrant while reducing the cost to ratepayers.
“This light show is one of many great events taking place on Auckland’s waterfront over the long weekend, including the Auckland Anniversary Regatta, Ports of Auckland SeePort Festival and the International Buskers Festival, as Auckland celebrates 179 years of development and progress.”
Vector Lights is part of a 10-year smart energy partnership between Vector and Auckland Council, in collaboration with the NZ Transport Agency, and has already become a feature of Auckland’s nightlife.
Since Vector Lights launched on 27 January 2018, over 84,000kWh of solar energy has been generated and under 43,000kWh has been used – meaning the project has stored or diverted back to the grid more energy than it has used.
The energy to power Vector Lights is generated by 248 solar panels on North Wharf and stored in a shipping container-sized Tesla Powerpack battery at Wynyard Quarter.
Vector spokesperson Beth Johnson says Vector Lights is a great showcase of what’s possible with smart energy technology.
“By using energy generated from the sun, Vector Lights has saved 1795 times the average car’s daily carbon emissions, which is equivalent of planting 1682 native trees or 10.69 tonnes of carbon emissions avoided.
“This just shows the power of renewable energy and the opportunities clean, innovative, and sustainable energy projects provide for our city,” she says.
Key details:
- Vector Lights on Auckland Anniversary Weekend show has been designed by Auckland production/animation company Assembly, in collaboration with creative agency Colenso BBDO, and programmed by Mandylights.
- Dates: Friday 25 – Monday 28 January 2019.
- Timing: Approximately every 15 minutes between 9pm and midnight.
- Hear the soundtrack synced to the light show by visiting vector.co.nz/lights.
- Ambient display lighting plays outside of show times.
For more information about Vector Lights, visit vector.co.nz/lights.
