This Thursday, 29th January, marks the 175th anniversary of the arrival of William Hobson, an Irishman from Waterford who was to become the first governor of New Zealand. The man himself established it as a public holiday back in 1842, though these days it is celebrated on the Monday closest to the 29th.
Auckland MarinaAuckland Anniversary 2015 Attractions
A weekend of events
Auckland likes to commemorate its founder in style, so there are a whole host of events planned for the weekend. Highlights include a multimedia experience at Shed 10 on Queens Wharf adjacent to the ferry terminal, which features live storytelling focused on the Legends of Tamaki Makaurau, the Maori name for Auckland. There’s a display of vintage cars on Quay Street; as you head down there, make sure you check out the display of billboard-sized photos chronicling the city’s past appearance. On the water, visit the HMSNZ Otago or watch the huge fleet of vessels participating in the annual Anniversary Day Regatta – everything from historic tall ships to cutting-edge prototypes for the America’s Cup. On Sunday evening, the harbour will light up with a colourful firework display.
Waiheke beach lifeA great all season destination
Don’t worry if you can’t get along to the Auckland anniversary 2015 celebrations – . For five years in a row, the city has been ranked in the top ten of the “World’s Most Liveable Cities” list. Created by the Economist’s Intelligence Unit, global cities are ranked on a range of factors including education, health and the quality of the environment. Even a casual visitor to Auckland can grasp why the city has scored so consistently well.
Must-see Auckland
Visitors to Auckland can do worse than to head straight to the Sky Tower. At 328 metres high, on a clear day you can see up to fifty miles from the top, making it an easy way to get your bearings. Once you’ve figured out the topography of the city, you can descend to see it close up – from the views from its volcanic hills to a boat trip to the islands that perch just across the Hauraki Gulf, including beautiful Waiheke Island. Devonport, with its naval museum and clutch of art galleries, is just a ten-minute ferry away from downtown Auckland. Even if you choose to remain a landlubber, it’s worth getting out of the city centre to Ponsonby. This inner-city suburb is crammed with cafes, quirky shops and interesting architecture, as well as a thriving nightlife scene.
Villa in PonsonbyWhether you make it to , or rock up later in the year, one thing’s for sure – you’ll be very glad you came.
Auckland MarinaWilliam HobsonVilla in PonsonbyWaiheke Beach