This March, we’re celebrating 150 years of firefighting in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland with a free public open day in central Auckland.

Established in 1874, Auckland’s first official fire brigade consisted of a single fire chief and a small team of dedicated volunteers who dragged their few hoses, hose reels and ladders to attend fires in the inner city and a few fringe suburbs.

Today, Fire and Emergency in Tāmaki Makaurau serves and protects a population of more than 1.3 million Aucklanders using the latest fire trucks, equipment, and technology with paid and volunteer staff.

From 10.00am to 3.00pm on Sunday 17 March, a remarkable showcase charting this evolution will be on display at an all-ages open day at The Cloud on Queens Wharf in central Auckland.

Featuring exhibitions, displays and heaps of history, visitors will be able to learn not just about firefighting in the region but some of the important social, technological and cultural changes and advancements of the past 150 years in New Zealand.

They will also be able to:

• Get up close to original fire trucks and equipment dating back to the 1800s.
• Check out the state-of-the-art fire trucks and specialist capabilities in use across Tāmaki Makaurau today.
• Meet the firefighters who keep our communities safe.
• Watch demonstrations of the essential work carried out by our Specialist High Angle Rescue and Urban Search and Rescue teams.
• Explore the fascinating history of firefighting in Tāmaki Makaurau through exhibitions featuring videos, photos, and rare archival materials.
• Learn about the trailblazing men and women who were instrumental in shaping and influencing what has developed into our modern day emergency response services.
• Learn about fire risk and safety to keep them and their whānau safe through interactive displays and demonstrations, and Virtual Reality activities.
• Meet our partner agencies including NZ Police, Hato Hone St John, and Civil Defence.
• Make it a day out for all the family with free admission.

What: 150 years of firefighting in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

When: Sunday 17 March 2024, 10 am – 3 pm

Where: The Cloud, Queens Wharf, 89 Quay Street Auckland

Entry: FREE

Bring: Sunscreen and bottled drinking water

Plan your journey ahead of time to avoid the traffic and parking.