Santa's Up
The installation of Santa & his reindeer has begun with a small amount of preparation work on the Whitcoulls building and canopy area on both Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 November in the early hours from approximately 4am – 6am.
The installation proper starts on Friday the 14th November with lane closures on Queen and Victoria St East around the Whitcoulls Corner from 2am – 8am when Santa’s boots will go up (traffic will be able to come down Bowen Ave and straight through but not up Bowen Ave) and then again on Saturday the 15th November from 2am – 1pm when the rest of Santa is installed along with the presents.
Sunday the 16th November (with a rain date of November the 23rd if necessary) is scheduled for the remaining work to install the reindeer and this will necessitate a full road closure of Victoria Street East and Bowen Avenue from 5am – 6pm.
A detour will be set in place, and access to the Victoria Street carpark building will be maintained from Kitchener Street.
Footpath access will be maintained to all businesses at all times.
If you have any special access needs to your business particularly on Sunday 16 November whilst the road closure is in place, please contact Brefinni from Action Traffic on the details below.
If you have any questions prior to the install please contact Heart of the City – Jane Stewart on 379 8000 or jane@hotcity.co.nz
On the day any queries should be directed to Breffni O’Reilly from Action Traffic Ph: 021 401 601 and Gary Young at Mansons on 021 907 854
Generous Local Businesses Come to Santa’s Rescue
Auckland’s giant Santa will once more celebrate Christmas over Queen St after family-owned construction company, Mansons TCLM, generously offered to take responsibility for his installation over the next three years.
SKYCITY has also agreed to contribute to annual storage and associated costs over the three year period with a sponsorship of $50,000.
The generosity of Mansons TCLM and SKYCITY means the popular figure and his reindeer will resume their traditional position on Whitcoulls corner this Christmas as usual.
We are overwhelmed and delighted by the public interest and support for the iconic Santa. The generosity of these businesses in guaranteeing that Santa and his reindeer ride again is a fantastic outcome for Aucklanders and Heart of the City.
Mansons TCLM spokesman, Culum Manson, says the family are pleased to ensure that Aucklanders can continue to enjoy their traditional Christmas, with Santa back in centre-stage.
"We all grew up with Santa and Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the big fellow up on Whitcoulls corner" Manson says. "We’ll use our own cranes, transport, equipment and crew to get Santa back up where he belongs in time for Christmas.
SKYCITY chief executive Nigel Morrison says he is delighted with the outcome.
"SKYCITY is happy to be playing our part as a good neighbour. Santa has been a special part of Aucklanders Christmas celebrations since 1960 and it’s just not Christmas without the Queen St Santa,” Mr Morrison says.
