The SeePort Festival is a once-a-year opportunity for Aucklanders to explore their port, learn about our maritime heritage, the roles the SeePort partners play and have fun! SeePort is a bridge between the water and the land. For three days we transform two operational wharves into a bustling urban festival.
New Zealand is a maritime nation with a history of seafaring that stretches from the first human colonization to the present day. As an island we rely on sea freight for almost all our imports and exports. We are a great sailing nation, leading the world with our sailing technology. We believe that our harbour and the Pacific is a wonderful place to enjoy and treasure. At SeePort we encourage people onto the water and to enjoy it but we also teach people how to treat our beautiful resource with care through sustainable fishing and water safety and how the port and its partners protect New Zealand’s borders, waters and fisheries through our efforts as kaitiaki.
At SeePort we address any dull perceptions of working in the maritime industry. We showcase the future of the port and encourage Aucklanders to help shape the future of the area – asking for their input into our future developments such as designing the rooftop open space and the suggesting the names of the cranes. A highlight every year is the Auckland Symphony Orchestra concert on the Sunday night, where we have to shut the gates because the wharves have reached crowd capacity, followed by what many claim is the best fireworks display in Auckland.
The event is also a fundraising and safety campaign platform for maritime and coastal charities including Coastguard, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust, Surf Lifesaving and Scouts.