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 Auckland Metropolitan Area, or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest urban area in New Zealand. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ...

The Aotea Centre, Auckland's main conference and theatre venue, is sited on the western side of the square, and the Edwardian Auckland Town Hall (1911) is to the southeast. To the north is a theatre complex including the 1929 Civic theatre which is one of the best examples in the world of a Cinema built in the Atmospheric style (the ceiling imitates the night sky wth illuminated stars showing the constellations of the southern sky) To the south is the 1966 Administration block of the Auckland City Council [Tibor K. Donner, architect] and the entry to Myers Park.

In front of the Admin building is a bronze statue of George Eden, Lord Auckland (a Governor of India after whom the city of Auckland is named). In the middle of Aotea Square is a Bronze fountain by New Zealand Sculptor Terry Stringer.

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. Beneath the square is an underground carpark accessible from Mayoral Drive. Queen Street, Auckland, New Zealand, is the major commercial thoroughfare of the countrys main population centre. ...

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). December 7 is the 341st day (342nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Rock is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars, a bass guitar, and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, trumpet, and trombone are common in some styles, however, horns have been omitted from newer subgenres of rock music since... A classical music concert in the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne. ... Herbs was a reggae/dub band based in New Zealand from the early 1980s until 1995. ... DD Smash were a New Zealand pop/rock band formed by Dave Dobbyn after the breakup of ThDudes. ... A New Zealand $100 polymer banknote, replacement of the old paper notes. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...