Aotea Square, Auckland

Aotea Square, located right in the centre of Auckland, just off Queen Street is the inner city’s premier open air space. The square was opened in 1979 by Sir Dove-Myer Robinson - its name refers to Great Barrier Island in the Maori language, which is the largest off shore island of the New Zealand archipelago. Recent expansion and redevelopment of Aotea Square has meant that the space is now able to be used by up to 20,000 people. Since it was opened the square has become a place where people come together for community events such as concerts as well as political rallies.

Each New Year there is large outdoor event held in the square and at other times throughout the year there are music festivals, markets and fairs held. Every Friday and Saturday there are handicrafts markets held. Around the square you can find several sculptures and other examples of public art including a Maori carved wooden gateway. At one end of the square is the Auckland Town Hall and at the other end the entrance to Myer Park. The square provides a transition space that connects many aspects of the Auckland CBD and ties them together in an appealing manner.