Takapuna Beach Business Association ceo Terence Harpur is fizzing about the 2023 Takapuna Winter Lights Festival taking place in the town centre in late July. He’s not alone. The team at Channel Mag shares his excitement, which is why the event features on our July cover for the second year in a row.
Terence reckons that Takapuna Winter Lights is probably now the biggest free event on the Shore, taking place across Hurstmere Road, Hurstmere Green and Waiwharariki Anzac Town Square from 27-30 July. It is a destination event that draws not only people from all over the Shore, but also from over the bridge and around New Zealand. Between 45,000 and 50,000 people are expected for the 2023 festival, which runs from 5-10pm across four nights.
The 2021 iteration was a great event, even though it was sandwiched between Covid lockdowns. So good, in fact, that the two-night spectacle was increased to four nights in 2022.
“I love the fact that this is an event that brings the community together,” explained Terence, when we met for a chat in Takapuna in mid-June as final plans were coming together. “This is an event for everyone: all ages and abilities. It’s for the whole family. Attendees can immerse themselves in the splendour of all the wonderful art and lighting installations, music and performances that make up this special event."
“A neat thing is that a good piece of our new town square, which is under construction, is going to be available to use this time. This will provide more space for the 2023 event.”
The event is being curated once again by award-winning light artist Angus Muir and Takapuna local event producer Dan Move.
One of the festival highlights is an interactive device-free augmented reality piece involving a live-view camera that brings to life the story of the journeys early Māori took from Kaipara to Takapuna. A live camera view will be projected onto a wall with overlaid imagery of the warrior runners allowing viewers to share space with them in real time. This installation is called Te Ara o te Whenua Roa o Kahu.
Young folk from local schools, including Takapuna Primary and Campbells Bay Early Learning Centre, will also be contributing to the festival. Their native bird and te reo artworks will be featured, using animation and projection to bring together science, art, and language.
Music and dance performance is also set to light up the festival. Takapuna Grammar students and others will provide on-the-hour performances on the new Waiwharariki Anzac Town Square. There will be jazz and ballet-style dancing, street-style musical performances from guitar and keyboard players, as well as talented duos and individual musicians. Nathan Fry is one solo performer who will ensure the crowd is entertained with popular cover hits.
Over the four nights, the public can explore light installations and interactive elements at their leisure along Hurstmere Road, Hurstmere Green and Waiwharariki Anzac Town Square. The best time to see everything is once it gets dark, when the light installations will be shining brightly and the interactive elements will be on show.
Four additional ticketed events are happening as part of the Takapuna Winter Lights and Elemental AKL festival. Regatta Bar hosts ‘Step Out with Peter Urlich’ on Saturday 22 July ($69.92). 'Witness for the Prosecution' by Agatha Christie is on at The PumpHouse Theatre from 20-30 July (from $21). There is an Immersive audio hikoi (walk) under the night sky on Friday 28 ($17), and Lux Vinum is a wine and food event at Street Organics with Mount Edward Wines on Saturday 29 July.
“Our restaurants and eateries will be in full swing, and we are encouraging all our businesses to open up and get involved,” adds Terence. “There will be stalls, food trucks and vendors to ensure everyone is satisfied while they take in all the action.
“I also want to say a big thank you to our dedicated organisers, generous supporters and sponsors. These include Silo, AMD, Go Media, Devonport Takapuna Local Board, Willis Bond, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Benefitz and Channel Magazine.”
Takapuna Winter Lights is brought to you by Takapuna Beach Business Association and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, as part of Auckland’s Elemental AKL festival. Billed as a ‘captivating programme of arts, eats and beats’, the Elemental AKLfestival runs from 20 July to 6 August and includes more than 100 free and ticketed events across the city involving publics spaces, theatres, business and hospitality precincts.
For more information on Takapuna Winter Light Festival visit: winterlights.nz
Immersive audio hikoi (walk) under the night sky on Friday 28 June
($17 per person)
For $17 you get a wonderful hikoi (walk) experience along Takapuna Beach brought to you by award-winning creative agency at Papaya Stories and Takapuna Boating Club. During the walk you will listen to the purakau (stories of origin) of the land underfoot through a recorded headset.
Lux Vinum at Street Organics with Mount Edward Wines on Saturday 29 July
($69.48 per person)
Street Organics is one of our much-loved local eateries and they’ve got together with Mount Edward Wines to host an “exploration of wine and light” with consummate wine lush Jake Tipler. A great event for wine lovers – wine tasting that investigates just how much light and food can change one wine! Bookings essential. Two sittings, 6.30pm-8pm and 8.30pm-10pm.
Step Out - Peter Urlich Swingin' Sextet
Join us for a night of champagne cocktails and Sinatra! Starring the sensational Peter Urlich Swingin’ Sextet live on stage.
Then we’re stepping it up with a very special live DJ set as General Lee joins Peter Urlich for a back-to-back DJ set.
For ticketed events above, book at winterlights.nz
