Vector Lights energy use

Vector Lights is powered by a mix of leading technology, including solar, battery, and peer-to-peer systems.

Energy generated by solar panels is stored in a shipping container-sized Tesla Powerpack battery. Smart meters at the battery and on Auckland Harbour Bridge relay data between each other every 10 seconds. Using peer-to-peer technology, the amount of power Vector Lights uses at any one time is relayed back to the battery, which then releases this amount of power.

Total Solar Energy


Sources: Fun Fact #1 Average home’s power usage from MBIE. Fun Fact #4 (Equivalent native trees) calculated by using the ‘Amount of Carbon offset per hectare per year’ given in table two of the Ministry for Primary Industries’ ‘Look-up Tables for Forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme, December 2015’ and assuming there are 1,200 native trees per hectare. Fun Fact #5 ‘Carbon avoided’ calculated using Carbon Emissions Factor of 0.119453.  Fun Fact #6 Car emissions per kilometre taken from Ministry for the Environment and average daily car distance taken from the Ministry of Transport

UPCOMING EVENTS

2025

  • Nov 17
    Vector Lights for World Prematurity Day

    Vector Lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge is shining purple alongside landmarks across the world, to raise awareness for World Prematurity Day.

    Every year in Aotearoa New Zealand, around 4,800 babies are born prematurely, and more than 1,000 full-term babies also require specialist neonatal care. The Little Miracles Trust is here to support whānau on this journey and relies on donations so they can continue to help. Please donate at littlemiraclestrust.org.nz to lend your support on World Prematurity Day.

     

  • Dec 12
    Vector Lights for a Kiwi Christmas 2025

    Vector Lights is celebrating the festive season with a dynamic light and sound show based on the New Zealand children's book, We Wish You a Kiwi Christmas by Lynette Evans with music by Pio Terei.

    Spot Little Kiwi on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, who dreams of riding through the skies with Santa, and is surprised one Christmas Eve to come across Santa with a broken-down sleigh. Sing along to the lyrics in both English and Māori and watch Little Kiwi finally get her wish!

Past events

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  • Nov 13
    Vector Lights for Sparkle Hour and Celebrating Auckland

    Add some sparkle to your weekends! Throughout summer, Vector Lights illuminates the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night with a stunning new twinkling display.
    Sparkle Hour plays at the beginning of every hour from 9pm to midnight, and Celebrating Auckland, the regular dynamic light and sound show continues to play every 15 minutes from sunset.
     

  • Oct 20
    Vector Lights for Celebrating Play 2025

    Vector Lights is shining bright next week to celebrate play in Tāmaki Makaurau. Join us at Silo Park on Monday night (20 October), 7-9pm to take park in a range of glow-in-the-dark creative activities.
    See the dazzling Vector Lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, play, create and connect at Creative Playground 2025 – where creativity knows no age limit.

    Vector Lights for Celebrating Play is part of Auckland Council’s month-long programme of engaging, free or low-cost activities spread right across Tāmaki Makaurau, all dedicated to play.

    No recording for this event