Source: Auckland Council
HER festival is hosting a celebration of Myers Park.
Bring your daughters, mothers, aunties and female friends! Sparkling with new light projections, art, birdsong, dancing, inspiration and 344 trees (24 newly planted), the park is the venue for Into the Night on Saturday 5 April from 4pm until 10.30pm.
With enhanced park lighting and acclaimed artwork Waimahara already uplifting the park, HER festival director Ella Mizrahi will weave further light and sound elements through the park, creating a nature haven for women to gather and hear music.
Ella Mizrahi says this is the second Into the Night event for HER festival.
“Expect amazing mother-daughter performances, mind blowing projection-mapped buildings, sound installations and an amazing line up of DJs. Bring your mum, bring your daughter. See you there!” she says.
DJ Mittzy.
In collaboration with ZAP Productions, Into the Night will showcase a diverse line-up of female musicians across genres – collaborating with local artists, supporting the creative sector and stimulating the local economy.
Promoted as five days of education, arts and inspiration, HER runs from 2 to 6 April with venues including Q Theatre, Basement Theatre and Myers Park.
Councillor Julie Fairey welcomes HER festival to Myers Park.
“I’m glad we are showcasing Myers Park with a friendly evening event for anyone who identifies as female, as the upgrade at the northern end of the park focused on safety as a priority.
“I remember being in the park late at night in the early 2000s and it was dark and scary to be in, particularly as a woman. The underpass has gone from being a disused rundown space to a place of light and beauty, with a connection to mana whenua. This end of Myers Park has not only become safer, it has become an ideal venue option for festivals like this, allowing more women to start to reclaim this public space,” she says.
Myers Park.
Auckland Council Head of Arts and Culture Emily Trent says: “I’m thrilled to see the HER festival taking place in the newly upgraded Myers Park.
“The space has been beautifully transformed, creating a renewed sense of safety and wellbeing. I encourage women in Tāmaki Makaurau to join us for an inspiring evening of dance and art in the park – a wonderful experience for festival goers,” she says.
Auckland Council is joining Creative NZ to help fund this alcohol-free event with support from the city centre targeted rate.
The big picture
Waitematā Local Board, Auckland Council, and the Auckland City Centre Advisory Panel have a keen interest in enhancing the visitor experience in Myers Park; making it a place all people and communities can enjoy and use in safety.
The renewal of the northern end of the park – including boardwalk, wetland gardens, a new stairway from Queen Steet and a redeveloped underpass entry / exit – completes the redevelopment of Myers Park which was supported by the city centre targeted rate.
Watch a video about the transformation here and learn more about the climate resilience aspects of the Myers Park upgrade here.
