Events

 Over 800 competitors will vie for places in the 29th Anniversary race on February 11th and 12th 2011.

The Speight's Coast to Coast is the world’s premier multi-sport event. The Speight's Coast to Coast is the benchmark by which all other multi-sport events are judged, both here in New Zealand and overseas.

The Speight's Coast to Coast traverses the South Island of New Zealand from Kumara Beach on the Tasman Sea to Sumner Beach on the Pacific Ocean. Over either two days (individuals or two person teams) or the one-day event (individuals only), competitors cycle 140 kms (three stages of 55km, 15 km and 70 km), run 36 km (including a 33 km mountain stage that crosses the Southern Alps) and kayak 67kms of the grade two Waimakariri River through the Grand Canyon of New Zealand, the Waimakariri Gorge.

And after all this they still have the energy to crack open a very well deserved Speight's – New Zealand’s finest beer.

Plenty to look forward to at 2011 Ellerslie International Flower Show

It definitely feels like spring is finally in the air and that means that
summer and Ellerslie are now only months away!

Despite the Canterbury earthquake, planning is on track for the
2011 Show and we’re pleased with the number of exhibitors and
sponsors who have already signed up.

The last few months have been a difficult time for Christchurch
people and the Show is a great opportunity for this city to
celebrate what a fantastic place we live in. It’s also a good chance
to show that our reputation as a Garden City is still well and truly
deserved.

Tickets are now on sale for next year’s Show and have been kept
at the same level as this year. Early Bird Any Day adult tickets are
$28 each until 14 February while tickets bought after this date will
cost $40. Children’s Early Bird tickets will cost $4 each while
tickets bought after 14 February will cost $5 each.

Tickets are available on the Ellerslie website at www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz and are also great gifts for families
or friends.

A designer we’re expecting big things from again next year is Ben
Hoyle, whose garden Pure Indulgence will feature in the Starlight
Marquee. Ben has recently returned from representing New
Zealand at the first Gardening World Cup in Japan where he
competed against nine of the world’s top international landscape
artists. Ben won a gold medal and the Peace Award, which is
unique to the World Cup, for his garden A Moment in Time.

For the first time in the Emerging Designs – Student Designer of
the Year category, visitors to the 2011 Show can expect to see
gardens designed by students who are not training to be
landscape architects because a large number of entrants are
currently studying at the Design and Arts College in Christchurch.

Landscape architecture students from Australia and the United
Kingdom have also signed up to exhibit in this category, which is
testament to Ellerslie’s reputation for giving young designers
some fantastic exposure.

At next year’s Ellerslie, they’ll be asked to design a small, low
maintenance courtyard garden where a DINKY (Double Income,
No Kids Yet) couple can relax after a long day at work with a
glass of wine. I’m sure we can expect some fierce competition.

Almost two months after the devastating earthquake, Christchurch
people and those planning to visit the city for an Ellerslie
experience have plenty to look forward to early next year.

Keep an eye on your inbox for more updates.

Regards
BOB PARKER
MAYOR OF CHRISTCHURCH

The Wildfood Festival, based at Hokitika on the South Island's West Coast is an annual celebration of unusual, interesting and innovative food.

Started by local woman Claire Bryant, the first event in 1990 also coincided with the 125th anniversary of the birth of Hokitika.

The festival has grown year on year since its inception - 1,800 people attended the inaugural event, with visitor numbers in excess of 15,000 last year.

New wild foods are included every year, as well as the old favourites such as whitebait fritters or for the more adventurous, New Zealand's very own huhu grub.

Every two years at Easter, stunning Lake Wanaka is the venue for one of the world's most spectacular air shows. 

Warbirds Over Wanaka has its roots back in 1988, when Tim Wallis, an aviation entreprenuer introduced an airshow as part of a country fair.  Over 14,000 people attended and Warbirds Over Wanaka was born.

Now, over 80,000 people make the biennial pilgrimage to be entertained by over 60 aircraft and take in the atmosphere as the lakeside town of Wanaka comes alive.

While-away your summer Sundays with a mix of great musical talent, outside in Christchurch.

8 January - Graham Wardrop, Archery Lawn, Botanic Gardens

One of New Zealand's finest finger style guitarists, Graham, is a musician of great versatility. His love of beauty, harmony and precision culminates in a rich sound and unique performance.

15 January - Mundi, Archery Lawn, Botanic Gardens

Prepare to be transported! With inspiration from as far afield as the deserts of North Africa to the Amazon basin and beyond, Mundi takes you on an unforgettable journey.

22 January - Ma Bell and The Blue Tones, Riccarton Bush

Singer-songwriter Isabella Miller Bell, accompanied by iconic musicians from the jazz, blues, rock and folk worlds, bring you an afternoon of entertainment designed to soothe, nourish, uplift and delight.

29 January - Akaroa Rhythm Method, Halswell Quarry

A motley mixture of peninsula people who come together for the love of music to play anything, anywhere, anytime! With a wide range of cultural and musical influences, they can keep it cool or fire it up, depending on where the music takes you.

12 February - Fiona Pears, Archery Lawn, Botanic Gardens

Violinist and composer Fiona Pears and her talented band, featuring Ian Tilley on piano, Mike Ferrar on guitar and Peter Fleming on double bass, will perform music ranging from hot, sizzling gypsy swing, soulful classical and jazz ballads through to tango and celtic compositions.

19 February - Lindon Puffin, Archery Lawn, Botanic Gardens

Lindon Puffin along with The Transgressions, featuring Ben Eldridge, Stefan James and Joe McCallum, bring a summer mix of songs from his acclaimed new album Hope Holiday and his 15 year career as a musician.

26 February - Li'l Chuck and Stomping Nick, Archery Lawn, Botanic Gardens

An afternoon of extreme co-ordination featuring two of Christchurch's finest oneman-bands: Li'l Chuck, the One Man Skiffle Machine, and Stomping Nick Jackman and His Blues Grenade.

4 March - The Eastern, Archery Lawn, Botanic Gardens

The Eastern bring backpacks full of road songs, battered acoustics, banjo and fiddle, punk rock mandolin, doghouse bass, foot stomps and heartbreak.

After the success of 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, the 2012 Akaroa Summer Festival is designed to stimulate, educate and enthuse advanced young musicians from all over New Zealand and abroad. An array of distinguished international musicians and tutors will provide inspiring daily lessons , masterclasses and concerts.

These intensive days of music making will also offer solo performances, chamber music and a string orchestra in one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking seaside towns where work is mixed with pleasure. Students are invited to apply on the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, piano, recorder, flute, voice and choir.

Do not miss out on this experience of the excellent Akaroa Summer Festival in the heart of the remarkable Banks Peninsula.

A home-grown event of fun and excitement we’ve all come to love.

So get ready to be thrilled and chilled when fifty-five of the world’s best street and stage performers arrive and turn our town into fun central.

The 2012 Stronger Christchurch WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL will be BIG! We’ve got a new face (you may have noticed our big, beautiful back up dancers) and we’re thinking big fun, big line up, big laughs and even a few big surprises equals a great big fun time for all.

Hagley Park becomes BUSKER PARK from 19 - 29 January. Not only a great setting but a easy way to experience some of the biggest and best comedians, acrobats, jugglers, daredevils, burlesque artists, aerialists and showmen (and women). Festival shows outside the park, include the CPIT MUSIC PITCH in the City Mall, Ryan Security BUSKERS AT BRIGHTON, two nightly comedy shows at the Christchurch Casino, Christchurch Casino COMEDY HOUR (R20) & Christchurch Casino MIDNIGHT CARNIVALE (R20) and the festival’s well loved iSite LATE NIGHT WITH THE BUSKERS (R18) at The Colombo round out the 19th annual festival and make it the biggest programme we’ve ever created.

The Stronger Christchurch WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL is owned by the Christchurch City Council and produced by the World Buskers Festival Trust. We owe a big thank-you to a variety of sponsors who have stepped up to ensure we could stage another great festival - the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT), The Christchurch Casino, The Christchurch City Council, Tip Top and Tui. In addition to these strategic partners, the festival is supported by an array of businesses, grant and donation providers and CNZ.

Thanks again Christchurch for making the Stronger Christchurch WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL your favourite event.

Enjoy!
Jo Blair & Jodi Wright

About

For five years, More FM has brought the best in local music to some of the country's most spectacular locations for their annual summer vineyard tours.  Now, with the addition of the fresh and exciting popular international acts alongside some of our country's finest, the More FM Summer Vineyard Tour offers you the best of both worlds, for the best value.

This years tour will see legendary and highly respected Australian roots act John Butler Trio co-headline the show alongside funky American soul singer Aloe Blacc & The Grand Scheme.  Aloe's worldwide chart success for his hits "I Need A Dollar" and "Loving You Is Killing Me" is propelling him to fast becoming the spearhead of modern 21st century soul.

Locally, multi-platinum award winning artist Tiki Taane also joins the tour for an acoustic set, which will no doubt include his number 1 single, the gorgeous "Always On My Mind" amongst other crowd-pleasing favourites that span his 15 year pioneering musical career.

"I'm super-stoked to be part of the More FM Summer Vineyard Tour.  Last time I saw Aloe Blacc was at Glastonbury and he blew my mind, so I've gotta bring it big time!  With just you, me and my acoustic guitar, we can get this party started," says Tiki.

Kiwi pop-sweetheart Annabel Fay also joins the line-up off tghe back of a stint in the US while resident More FM & George FM DJ's, Sweet Mix Kids are on board to entertain with your favourite tunes between acts.

Don't miss out on what will prove to be a memorable summer's day out, complete with great music, wine, food and friends! 

Children under 12 receive free entry per ticketed adult.

Speed, summits and scenery combine to ensure that the iconic Le Race continues to be New Zealand’s premiere hill cycling event.

Starting in Christchurch, entrants tackle 100km of fast flats, challenging hill climbs and exhilarating down hills as they head to the French surrounds of Akaroa on the picturesque Banks Peninsula.

Le Race attracts a wide range of cyclists, from top national competitors to recreational cyclists of varying abilities. All entrants are welcome – regardless of whether you ride a road bike, mountain bike or even a tandem. Enter as an individual or as a two or three-person team.

Le Race’s appeal continues to extend beyond Canterbury, with an increasing number of North Islanders and Australians entering and returning to race in the event.

The course is challenging, so if you’re going to enter it’s a good idea to start training now. For many, race day is the culmination of months of disciplined cycling, often with other ‘Le Racers’ and this culture contributes to its popularity.

For training tips, visit our website lerace.co.nz where you’ll also find further event information,

photographs and entry details.

The Star City 2 Surf is a fun event for the young and old, the serious and not so serious, individuals, corporate teams, schools and families. It is all about participation, team building, reaching personal goals and having fun!

Community unity is one of positive outcomes of the events of the past year. The 2012 City 2 Surf will again provide Canterbury residents an opportunity to come together to share a day of fun.

We have an exciting new route with a great finishing location, check out out our website for updates!