Auckland Town Hall organ tunes up

Mayor J. Banks with the German and Kiwi organ refurbishment team.

Organ tunes up: Mayor of Auckland city, Hon. John Banks, meets with the German and Kiwi team who are currently rebuilding the Auckland Town Hall organ.

From City Scene, published on 1 March, 2009.

Mayor of Auckland city, Hon. John Banks, recently met the team of experts from Germany and New Zealand who are currently reinstalling the refurbished Auckland Town Hall organ.

Mr Banks commended the team (pictured), who are from the renowned German organ company Orgelbau Klais, as well as the South Island Organ Company, for their excellent work.

Once complete and ready for its first recital in March next year, the instrument - which has more than 5000 pipes - is expecting to draw international acclaim.

Auckland City Council committed $2.75 million towards rebuilding the organ, which was originally gifted by former Auckland city Mayor, Sir Henry Brett.

Helping raise additional money for the balance of the project and offering advice to the council is the Auckland Town Hall Organ Trust. To date, 70 per cent of their target has been raised.

For more information on how you can donate to the trust, or to find out more, visit the Auckland Town Hall Organ Trust