How Te Ramaroa brought life and light to Nelson streets

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Crowds gather Upper in Trafalgar St on the Friday night opening of Te Ramaroa.

BRADEN FASTIER/Nelson Mail

Crowds gather Upper in Trafalgar St on the Friday night opening of Te Ramaroa.

The hottest show in town on the coolest nights is over for another two years, but the afterimage of Te Ramaroa will linger.

The five-night light festival which ended on Tuesday brought an estimated 50,000 people – based on previous years’ estimates – out on to Nelson streets.

The Nelson Mail building in Bridge St was the canvas for a projection called Timeless by 40+ artists globally.

BRADEN FASTIER/Nelson Mail

The Nelson Mail building in Bridge St was the canvas for a projection called Timeless by 40+ artists globally.

They wandered around 40 installations, large and small, many put together by local artists and community groups, backed by support from local businesses.

Te Ramaroa Trust chair Annette Milligan said there was a relaxed vibe for the event, with people savouring the experience of being part of a crowd as much as marvelling at the works.

“Above all, it was just so obvious how delighted everyone was to see the city alive with installations and entertainment,” she said.

The Vesak Lantern by Nilantha manjula Nammuni arachchi in an empty Bridge St shop marks one of Sri Lanka's most spectacular festivals.

BRADEN FASTIER/Nelson Mail

The Vesak Lantern by Nilantha manjula Nammuni arachchi in an empty Bridge St shop marks one of Sri Lanka’s most spectacular festivals.

Event director Michaela Blackman said one of the aspects that she loved about this year’s event was the greater involvement from the region’s ethnic communities.

The Sri Lankan Vesak Lantern display in an unoccupied Bridge St shop drew big crowds, and groups from the Colombian and Indian communities performed on the community stage in Trafalgar St.

Moketapu Light & Shadows by Nelson Intermediate School.

BRADEN FASTIER/Nelson Mail

Moketapu Light & Shadows by Nelson Intermediate School.

Blackman said she also had a lot of positive public feedback about the element of surprise and difference this year. In the Cathedral gardens, for example, there was a Nelson Intermediate School installation of lighted tents with shadows capturing slices of life next to a high-tech laser projection show in the trees.

In Albion Square, local artist Sue Heydon literally brought light to an obscure part of the city’s history – the 1860s trout hatchery, while aerial artist Chloe Loftus wowed the crowds on a wire above Upper Trafalgar St.

Performers on the community stage in Upper Trafalgar St.

BRADEN FASTIER/Nelson Mail

Performers on the community stage in Upper Trafalgar St.

Blackman would not be drawn on her own highlight – “I will get phone calls.” She thanked all those who took part, particularly the businesses who gave support to many of the installations.

“The whole kaupapa is that we get businesses behind us, supplying gear for free and things like that. It’s amazing actually and we probably only know half the story.”

Blackman said St John had only dealt with one minor injury during the entire event, and although there were busy periods the installations were spaced out, allowing people to pick their times.

Organisers would go through the public feedback to see what could be improved for 2025 – after a well-earned rest.

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