MOTAT Christmas Lights 10th anniversary spectacle cancelled

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Auckland Stuff

A popular Christmas light show has been cancelled due to public safety concerns and the uncertainty of Covid-19 restrictions.

Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) announced on Wednesday that the 10th anniversary celebration of Christmas Lights will not go ahead this year.

MOTAT spokeswoman Sally Manuireva said the decision to cancel the event was a difficult one, as it is the museum’s largest event of the year.

The Auckland event was attended by over 60,000 visitors over 12 nights last year.

“While I know this may be disappointing news for many families who were looking forward to this event, keeping our visitors safe is our top priority,” Manuireva said.

“We’ve decided to make this call now to give our suppliers transparency and allow our team to focus on our summer programming.”

This marks the first occasion where MOTAT’s Christmas Lights has been canned.

MOTAT will still light up its heritage Pumphouse building and erect a 20ft Christmas tree which will be visible from Great North Road.

The Museum will release ‘12 Days of Christmas’, which consists of free online crafts and activities which can be accessed on the online education platform MOTAT.FUN.

More messages from your neighbours

2 hours ago

Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland

The Team from New Zealand Police

Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.

A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/

Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.

• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.

• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.

• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.

Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.

14 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.