Ports of Auckland operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year – but it will pause yet again for the duration of the ANZAC Day dawn service at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, as it has done for almost two decades.
This year will mark the nineteenth year the port will halt operations and switch off over 1,000 lights across their Waitematā seaport during the commemoration service as a sign of respect for those who served New Zealand at war
Before 2009, light from the port could be seen as far as the museum until work was undertaken to significantly reduce light pollution. By then, the act of pausing operations and switching off the lights had become not just practical, but symbolic, solidifying itself as port tradition.
"Switching off the lights and pausing operations for the duration of the remembrance service is now embedded in our culture. It gives all of us, particularly our staff who are unable to make a dawn service, a chance to pause, reflect and pay our respects" says Ports of Auckland Chief Executive Tony Gibson.
All primary lighting from Fergusson Container Terminal to Captain Cook Wharf will be turned off between 6am and 6.40am on Thursday, 25 April. The ongoing installation of LED lighting across the port also means the majority can be turned off instantaneously and remotely.
Watch a video of lights being switched off during the 2015 ANZAC Day dawn service here.
NOTES:
Ports of Auckland Ltd is the port for New Zealand's largest city. We have been playing a vital role in the Auckland economy for 178 years, delivering things Aucklanders and New Zealanders need and enjoy. The port is part of the special character of Auckland.
We are an efficient customer focussed port, which is why we were voted best seaport in Oceania by our customers in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
We are New Zealand's hub port for car and container imports, handling 297,000 cars and light commercial vehicles and 952,000 TEU (1 TEU = 1 twenty-foot container) in the 2016/17 financial year.
We are New Zealand's main cruise hub. The port handles around 100 cruise ships annually and each ship visit is worth approximately $1.5m to the local economy.
Ports of Auckland is 100%-owned by Auckland Council and serves Auckland's growth through the efficient delivery of freight and by delivering a good return to our owner. In the 2016/17 financial year our $51.3 million dividend to the city was worth the equivalent of 4.1% of the average Auckland residential rates bill.
For further information contact:
Alexandra Pringle
Senior Communications Advisor
P: +649 348 5247
M: +6427 809 2285
