All is bright at Jellicoe Park2 min read
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Ho, ho, ho – the Christmas lights are coming back to Jellicoe Park this holiday season, with recent public feedback overwhelmingly supporting a return to the traditional style.
The lights will give the festive look of stringed tree lights, using modern LED bulbs, which are more efficient and cost effective.
The 600 bulbs will be installed on the original Norfolk pine on the Grey St side of the park, and is visible all the way from the motorway.
“This installation uses special connectors, or splitters, to safely arrange the lights on the tree, a method more effective than traditional wrapping. The total one-off cost for the supply and installation is $30,000,” says Auckland Council Area Operations Manager, Marcel Morgan.
“The investment means the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board will no longer be renting lights for the event, providing greater flexibility and savings moving forward, as well as offering security for this cherished Onehunga tradition.”
The lights are controlled remotely through an online system, that allows project teams to power the lights and change colours. This helps reduce costs and save energy.
Last year’s laser lights trial during Onehunga Christmas in the Park didn’t hit the mark, with 82% of locals saying it didn’t meet community expectations, and called for the return of the lights.
The tree was not lit in 2023 and laser lights were used in 2024. The lights won’t only be used at Christmas time – these new lights can also be used for other holidays and public events such as ANZAC Day and Matariki. The local board will ask for the community’s input on potential year-round uses for the lights.
“I’m really happy that a more traditional style of Christmas lights is coming back, and that they’re also going back on the original tree,” says local resident, Jennie Sargent.
“It’s really special to be able to see the tree from so many locations, even when you’re coming back to Onehunga on the motorway. It’s like a welcome home to the neighbourhood at Christmas time.”
After the Christmas In the Park event in 2023, a petition was launched to bring back the traditional lights. It gained momemtum and hundreds of people signed it.
Laser lights were used in 2024 in repsonse of the petition, but the community desired a more festive feel and are thrilled that the Norfolk pine will shine bright again this year.
