Wellington’s waterfront will come alive with the sound of music from this Thursday as Wellington’s school children perform to lunchtime visitors under the sails in Queens Wharf Square.

School children from Kelburn’s Normal School will be the first to perform in “Kids on the Waterfront” a new entertainment programme set up to enliven weekdays on the waterfront and encourage city workers to come down for a break from the office, some fresh air and lively entertainment.

In exchange for a Thursday lunchtime performance, Wellington Waterfront Ltd pays the transportation costs for local primary and intermediate school students to visit the waterfront that day.  

The programme not only offers the chance for schools to showcase the talents of their students but, as transport costs are being met, it also allows schools to create structured visits to the waterfront that may include visits to Te Papa, Museum of Wellington, City & Sea, Capital E! or even the climbing wall at Ferg’s Kayaks.

“I have been impressed with the range of activities being undertaken by the schools participating in the programme,” says Perry Walker Wellington Waterfront Events Manager.  “We are going to be treated to concerts from choirs, orchestras, kapa haka and performances from the Pacific.”

“Until now, Wellington Waterfront Ltd has focused its efforts on helping others to stage events on the waterfront.  We will continue with this role but want to develop a year-round calendar of events through the introduction of new activities including “Kids on the Waterfront,” Mr Walker adds.

Concerts begin at 12.30pm under the sails, Queens Wharf Square, Jervois Quay.  If the weather is inclement, the performances will be held in the Museum of Wellington, City & Sea’s historic Board Room.