Events
Ellerslie International Flower Show
Ellerslie exhibit “good enough to eat”
Visitors to this year’s Ellerslie International Flower Show found a cauliflower pavlova, kumara prawns and an almond turkey at the entrance to the Countdown Lifestyle Marquee to tempt their tastebuds.
Fresh Cuisine was the Countdown exhibit by Julena Moors, Dave Farley and Lee-Anne Clarke of The Vege People, who have been creating award-winning horticultural exhibits made entirely from vegetables at the Ellerslie International Flower Show since 1995. They have won five gold medals, the Supreme Award and two People’s Choice Awards. (Their 2007 gold award-winning exhibit is pictured above).
This year the trio created an exhibit for Countdown which Julena says was “good enough to eat”.
Fresh Cuisine will use more than 32 varieties of vegetables to depict a typical supermarket scene. “The 12-metre long by two-metre wide exhibit will feature an enthusiastic shopper with a trolley in the fresh food section of a Countdown supermarket completing their weekly shop.”
Julena says the vegetables will be presented in the five colour way
–reds, oranges, creams, greens and purples – reflecting the extensive selection of vegetables stocked by Countdown supermarkets and cleverly woven into the pattern will be Countdown’s three strong brands: Home Brand, Wind Back and Onecard.
Hokitika Wild Food Festival
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.
Le Race
Cyclists have to dig deep to finish Le Race - a challenging 100km cycling event that is definitely not for the faint-hearted!
Ridden by pros and amateurs alike, Le Race begins with the tolling bells of Christchurch Cathedral and ends somewhere between three and six hours later in the beautiful French-inspired settlement of Akaroa.
Highlights include the uphill ride through Cashmere, the infamous short but sharp ascent 'The Ramp' and the exhilarating, fast downhill finish.
There are plenty of opportunities along the way to provide spectator support and cheer on those who race to win and those who race simply to say 'I did it!'
War Birds Over Wanaka
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.
The Forrest Graperide
The award winning Forrest Grape Ride is the biggest road cycling event in the South Island. Set in the wine growing region of Marlborough the course traverses a 101km circuit through some of the most stunning scenery New Zealand has to offer including a 40 kilometer stretch of the world renowned Marlborough Sounds. Witness the spectacular 100 virgins grape crush of 3 tonne of pinot grapes and join in the festivities and party atmosphere on completion of the ride back at the picturesque Forrest Estate.
2011 Rugby Fever in Christchurch
9 September - 23 October 2011, Christchurch
Canterbury -
The home of the 127 year old Crusaders franchise
Formed in 1863, the Christchurch Football Club is the oldest in New Zealand; the country's first rugby football union was also established in Canterbury, in 1879.
Canterbury has a proud and passionate rugby history. It has the most clubs of all New Zealand rugby unions with 47 producing countless All Blacks, including Andrew Mehrtens, who holds the record for the most All Black test points (967 in 70 Tests). Robbie Deans, Wayne Smith, Justin Marshall, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw.
Along with visitors, Australia, England, Scotlant and Argentina will make their base here.
Cathedral Square will be transformed into Fan Zone, with the World Ruck dome and open-air
rugby theatre. The unique Rugby Road pedestrian access from city centre
to Stadium Christchurch adds to the special atmosphere. For those not heading to the match, all the action can be viewed on two big screens in the central city.
Christchurch and Canterbury New Zealand is ready to host an
unforgettable rugby experience, so make sure you're part of it and don't forget to book your rental car early!!
THE SCHEDULE
Saturday, September 10 - Argentina vs. England
Sunday, September 11 - Australia vs. Italy
Sunday, September 18 - England vs. Georgia
Sunday, September 25 - Argentina vs. Scotland
Saturday, October 1 - Australia v Russia
Saturday, October 8 - QF2: W Pool B vs. RU Pool A
Sunday, October 9 - QF4: W Pool A vs. RU Pool B
Ron Mueck Exhibition
Saturday 2nd October 2010–Sunday 23rd January 2011 , Christchurch Art Gallery
Known for his extraordinarily life-like creations, the exhibition will feature thirteen sculptures by Mueck including four new works created specifically for this show.
Exclusive to Christchurch Art Gallery, it is the first time New Zealand has hosted a Mueck exhibition.
Please be advised that some artwork in this exhibition contains graphic material that may not be suitable for all audiences
10am - 5pm daily, Wednesday until 9pm