Wynyard Quarter marks first birthday

Auckland's Wynyard Quarter is holding a day of free activities to mark its first birthday today.

The area was turned from a tank farm and fish market into a mix of public spaces and restaurants, just before the Rugby World Cup.

It's picked up architecture awards, and hospitality outlets report a roaring trade.

Waterfront Auckland's Luke Henshall says today is about celebrating the space as it is.

"It's gonna be a fun-filled day, got loads of activities on, and majority of them free. Kicking off at around 7 o'clock, we've got Kiwi singer Don McGlashan who'll be leading in a dawn chorus," he says.

"We've got public sailings on the William C Daldy which is a 76-year-old tugboat that is coming to a new home in Wynyard Quarter on Hobson West Wharf."

The Voyager Museum is open free, and the SS Puke steam ship is running trips for a gold coin.

There'll also be walking tours, a climb of a set of cement silos, tram rides, lantern making and the film 'The Incredibles 2' on an outdoor big screen.