1 August, 2024

Winter festival spreads wings

Angelic moment… A trip from Taiwan to stay with friends in Takapuna provided a heavenly holiday snapshot for Tseng Wan Chun and Tseng Yi Han at the Winter Lights Festival last weekend.

Crisp clear nights for much of the four-day Takapuna Winter Lights Festival helped draw big crowds to the town centre last weekend, with numbers estimated at more than 50,000, up by 5000 on last year. The event’s region-wide popularity caused a motorway tailback to Onewa Rd on Saturday night. In its fourth year, the festival for the first time included a ‘Shine’ tour, allowing early access for those with accessibility issues. Businesses looked to be benefiting from the influx of people, and despite chilly weather the mood was warm.

PHOTO CREDIT: Kathryn Nobbs

Better work stories… Two guards from Mealamu Security in prime position by some light sails to ensure everyone stayed safe around the sculptures, some musical, that were set up across Waiwharariki Anzac Square

Creation stories… Under the arches leading to Potter’s Park, steam and light and knowledge passed on by Ngati Whatua kaumatua was used to illustrate ancestral accounts of how the local landscape was formed

Selfie starter… Terence Harpur, chief executive of festival host the Takapuna Beach Business Association, snaps a group enjoying an early look at the lights on an accessibility tour organised by Phab and Yes Disability. Phab’s Lexi Longman (second from left) helped with the tour, which included a treat stop at Duck Island for free ice-cream.

LEFT: Family outing… Laura and Brendan McNamara with daughters Sienna (6) and Bianca (4) came from Hauraki to check out the action.
RIGHT: Sister act… Forrest Hill girls Issy and Mila McElwee got their glow on carrying lighted balloons.
Stalls selling illuminated accessories proved popular as darkness fell.

Electric entertainment… North Shore violinist Hannah Lee lit up for the occasion

Cary Coons and son Ryan explored an interactive light panel on Hurstmere Green

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