Vector Lights post launch run-down

Vector Lights
Years of planning, four months of installation, weeks of late-night testing, and countless hours of creative tweaking, came down to a 10-second countdown as Vector Lights illuminated the Auckland Harbour Bridge for the first time on Auckland Anniversary Weekend.

The solar, battery and peer-to-peer powered lighting installation came to life with a six-minute, specially composed show on 27 January.

An estimated 2000 people crammed into Northcote’s Little Shoal Bay, where the official launch function was held, with many thousands more watching from vantage points in Westhaven, Devonport, Te Atatu, Mt Eden and others.

Fourteen-thousand more watched a Vector Lights live stream on Vector’s Facebook page.

And they weren’t disappointed with the show. As well as the ‘oohs,’ ‘aahs’ and applause at outdoor venues, social media reaction was hugely positive. 
The Vector Lights show itself saw the Auckland Harbour Bridge evoke a sunrise, play pong, dance to Polynesian drum beats and Indian tabla and ever-so-briefly become a red Chinese dragon.

Officially launching the first show, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern praised the initiative of Vector Lights partners Vector and Auckland Council in demonstrating that clean, green and carbon neutral technology can be applied right now to tackling climate change.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said the partnership between Auckland Council and Vector was vital in making the goal of a sustainably lit Harbour Bridge a reality, as it ensured ratepayers did not carry the $10m cost of installation and maintenance over ten years.

Vector chairman Michael Stiassny also touched on the climate change theme, reminding all present that they were custodians of the planet, underlining the significance of the sustainable power source for Vector Lights.

Vector Lights will be used for about 20 events every year. To see the list of upcoming events, visit vector.co.nz/lights/events.
 

Take a look at the round-up of the Vector Lights launch show: