Tonight [Friday 29 January], a beam of light will shine upwards from the summit of Rangitoto to the heavens.

Te Haeata o Rangitoto is a large-scale outdoor light activation, coinciding with the inaugural Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival.

Te Rangi-i-totongia-ai-te-ihu-o-Tamatekapua, more commonly known as Rangitoto, is a distinctive feature on Auckland's horizon from both land and sea.

An array of powerful lights mounted near the summit, Ngā Pona-Toru-a-Peretū, will point directly upwards towards the heavens, creating a pou haeata, a singular column of light emanating from the crater (conditions permitting).

Photo : Te Haeata o Rangitoto viewed from Mission Bay. 

Photo​ credit photographer Brendon O'Hagan. 

This light beam echoes the form of traditional pou herenga – hitching posts or moorings for waka.

The lighting is a joint pilot project led by Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau (the 13 iwi of Marutūāhu, Ngāti Whātua and Waiohua -Tāmaki, together known as the Tāmaki Collective), and supported by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).

Liane Ngamane, spokesperson for the Tāmaki Collective, says "Te Haeata o Rangitoto is the first phase of a dynamic interactive light project to celebrate the return of the 21 tūpuna maunga and motu that formed part of the 2014 Deed of Settlement between the Crown and Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau."

ATEED General Manager Destination Vivien Bridgwater says Te Haeata o Rangitoto coincides with the inaugural Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival, which focuses on the Maori identity and heritage of Tāmaki Makaurau.

"We hope that this beam of light will be a beacon, visible across the Auckland region conditions permitting, drawing the eyes of Aucklanders and visitors, generating public interest in Auckland's Maori identity, which is celebrated by the Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival, happening over this Auckland Anniversary Weekend.

"This initiative is an opportunity to show potential visitors what makes Auckland special and gives Aucklanders a chance to celebrate one of the region's most iconic features and something that sets Auckland apart from any other city in the world – our Maori heritage, history and culture."

Mayor Len Brown says the pilot project is a fitting recognition of recent milestones for Tāmaki Makaurau.

"The settlement between the Crown and the Tāmaki Collective was important for all of Auckland, recognising the importance of the 21 maunga and motu to mana whenua. It will be wonderful to see this idea, which celebrates that milestone, tested on perhaps Auckland's most iconic motu, while coinciding with the inaugural festival to spotlight the unique Maori identity of Tāmaki Makaurau."

Te Haeata o Rangitoto times:

Friday 29 January – Monday 1 February: 10pm – midnight