In the green – Aucklanders celebrate St Patrick’s Day
• March 22, 2024
Auckland hosts the largest St Patrick’s Day parade in the Southern Hemisphere. Photo: Johanne Hanghøj Jørgensen
Around 20,000 bystanders and 500 participants created a colourful spectacle as they celebrated St Patrick’s Day with the Auckland's Queen Street parade on Sunday.
“It’s a day of fun celebrations and celebrating diversity,” said Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, sitting on top of a red convertible in the thick of the parade.
The Cranberries were playing from the speakers on the Galway Girl wagon, while leprechauns and fairies waved, and marching bands walked in time with the beat of the drums.
Chairman of The St Patrick’s Day Festival Russell O’Brien says St Patrick’s Day is about bringing people together.
“Ireland is known for its hospitality, so we welcome everybody and it's an opportunity for all Aucklanders to come and be Irish for a day.”
Mayor of Auckland, Wayne Brown, used to have a business and played rugby in Ireland. Photo: Johanne Hanghøj Jørgensen
Auckland resident Cheryl Dynlop attended the parade for the first time with her husband and daughter.
Dynlop says her family enjoyed the atmosphere and were excited to take part and celebrate their heritage.
“My husband is Irish, so my daughter is part Irish. It’s important for me that we celebrate the diversity she is a part of,” she said.
The streets were tightly packed with bystanders wearing green hats, T-shirts and glasses to show off their cultural pride.
The parade finished at Takutai Square with food stands, music and Irish dance competitions, and the festivities continued long into the night.
To watch the festivities and hear from parade goers, follow this link.
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