Stephenson & Turner’s lighting design for the Wellington Waterfront transforms one of Aotearoa’s most iconic public spaces into a safer, more vibrant, and flexible environment after dark.
As a place where city meets sea, the waterfront serves as a cultural, historical, and recreational hub—requiring a lighting solution that delivers functional excellence while celebrating the unique identity of the site.
Key design features include warm 3000K LED luminaires for visual comfort, low-glare performance, and precise wharf-edge illumination to improve pedestrian safety and enhance nighttime usability. Increased visibility along promenades contributes to a greater sense of safety and confidence for users. The lighting scheme supports extended public use, encouraging dwell time and activity well into the evening.
Every lighting pole was designed as a multi-functional, future-ready element. Each supports RGB LED lighting, remote control via the Casambi system, and physical infrastructure for CCTV, event banners, sensors, speakers, people counters, and power outlets. This adaptability has already proven invaluable during Homegrown 2025, poles powered food trucks directly, while programmable light zones allowed safe walkways and vibrant stage areas to coexist.
The design integrates seamlessly into the waterfront’s built and natural environment—unobtrusive by day, dynamic by night. The RGB functionality has supported themed lighting for public events such as St. Patrick’s Day, Matariki, Faultline Ultra and international fixtures including All Blacks vs France and Wellington Phoenix vs Wrexham.
Critically, the project was developed through a collaborative co-design process with Mana Whenua, embedding cultural narratives into the spatial experience. The lighting strategy acknowledges and upholds the cultural significance of the site while delivering modern public space functionality.
This project represents a new standard in urban lighting design, combining smart technology, user safety, and cultural responsiveness. Through thoughtful design and forward-thinking infrastructure, the Wellington Waterfront has been reimagined as a flexible, inclusive, and beautifully lit civic destination for all.
Read more on the Wellington Waterfront Promenade - Shed 5 project below.
