AT’s wāhine promotes this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup AT’s wāhine promotes this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup

You’ll hear and see advertisements around Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for the FIFA Women’s World Cup ™ which includes Auckland Transport’s stunning mahi toi (artwork).

As the host city transport provider for the biggest sporting event in Tāmaki Makaurau it was important for us to partner with a Māori artist to bring this vision to life. Featured on social media, our commuter screens at transport hubs and double decker buses, the mahi toi (artwork) has been created for Auckland Transport in collaboration with artist, Miriama Grace-Smith (Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Toarangatira and Ngāti Porou), to illustrate the concept of the World Cup wāhine.

The AT wāhine represents players, surrounded by the energy and excitement of the event formed by her hair. The figure to her right is her kaitiaki (guardian), a taniwha. The ocean waka and waves represent the great journeys of people travelling from around the world to the tournament. The symbols on the ball are mangōpare (hammerhead sharks) representing strength and determination. The symbols on her legs are puhoro which represent speed.

Another mahi toi created by Grace-Smith is the Eden Park ngā ana wai (the watery caverns) depicts te Rā (the sun) with taniwha coming out of the raw symbolising the energy of the World cup. The pink ‘arms’ are welcoming in spectators, symbolising manaakitanga (hospitality). The frigate birds symbolise the players who have travelled across oceans to the game.

We’ve repurposed a bus shelter on Victoria Street as a goal and encourage anyone to go check it out.

The creative concepts link AT closely to the World Cup, represent Tāmaki Makaurau transport network and our journey towards a thriving and connected city.

FIFA Women’s World Cup™  transport information

• All match day travel options including special event bus services can be found at govt.nz/events.
• Travel on match days will be busier than normal. Event goers are encouraged to plan their journey ahead of time and use the Journey Planner or AT Mobile.
• Travelling by train and on buses (normal scheduled services, rail replacement, and special event) is included with match tickets. Fans must simply show their ticket to the bus driver when boarding or to gate staff if asked.  For gates with turnstiles, AT staff will be on hand to let fans through manually. Match tickets are also required for the journey home.
• Residents living near Eden Park are encouraged to cycle and/or walk as the best way to get there. Eden Park free valet bike parking is available for all matches at Gate C.  
• Regular bus, train, and ferry services can be used to get to the FIFA Fan Festival at The Cloud. Standard fares apply for ferry travel.
• The FIFA Fan Festival at The Cloud is an easy walking distance to the Downtown Ferry Terminal and Britomart Transport Centre. There are also many bus services located near The Cloud. 
• Information on Accessible Travel can be found at govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/accessible-travel.

Other Transport

• There are three dedicated taxi drop off / pick-up locations available 5-10 minutes’ walk from Eden Park:
  • New North Road between Stormont Place and George Street
  • Morningside Drive between Argyle Street and Sainsbury Road
  • Bellwood Avenue between Cromwell Street and Dominion Road

FIFA Fan Festival ™ 

The FIFA Fan Festival™ at The Cloud on Queens Wharf is free entry for all ages and is screening 48 world cup matches live on a giant screen. It’s a place to enjoy live music, entertainment, local culture, food, beverages and interactive football-themed games. The giant screen has grandstand seating, so bring all your friends and whānau to The Cloud.

The FIFA Fan Festival™ at The Cloud on Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s Queens Wharf opened on Friday 21 July and here’s the latest numbers from the event.

• 33,372 total visitors
• 23 matches screened live
• More than 1200 faces painted
• 110 games of five-a-side football on the Unity Pitch