|
Aotea Square is a large paved area regarded as the centre of the city of Auckland, New Zealand. Officially opened in 1979 it is used as the site for open-air concerts and gatherings. The Aotea Centre, Auckland's main conference and theatre venue, is sited on the western side of the square, and the Auckland town hall is to the southeast..
The square is located at the southern end of Auckland's central business district. The city's main street, Queen Street runs along its eastern edge.
Aotea Square's darkest hour came on December 7 1984, when a free rock concert given by various bands including Herbs and DD Smash degenerated into a riot after police over-reacted to a rowdy section of the crowd. The resulting civil disobedience resulted in $ 1,000,000 damage ($3,000,000 in 2004 terms).
|
