Meridian Energy Celebrity Walk Week

Wednesday, 27 October 2004

Discover a hidden corner of New Zealand with the Meridian Energy Celebrity Walk Week

Dust off your boots, grab your friends and head to the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track in Southland for the Meridian Energy Celebrity Walk Week from 17-21 November.

The Tuatapere Hump Track Trust is offering a special fully guided three-day package during the Meridian Energy Celebrity Walk Week, thanks to MeridianŒs sponsorship and support.

Alan Seay, spokesman for Meridian Energy, says the company is excited about sponsoring the Celebrity Walk Week and its new partnership with the Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust.

³Supporting the Hump Track Charitable Trust in its guardianship of a unique part of Southland is extremely important to Meridian Energy as a company which operates in this beautiful part of New Zealand. It is wonderful to see more people being able to gain access to this remote and picturesque area of the Fiordland National Park,² says Alan Seay.

Evan Bloomfield, General Manager of the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track, is delighted to have the sponsorship and support of Meridian Energy.

³Meridian's sponsorship has put the event on a firm long-term footing which will enable the Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust to raise the profile of the walk, as well as other activities available in the Tuatapere region.

³It also offers New Zealanders the opportunity to enjoy a fully guided walk at a very "kiwi" price and the chance to explore their own back yard,² says Evan Bloomfield.

³A selection of surprise New Zealand celebrities will join the trampers, who will have their meals catered by some of the finest chefs in Southland. Top the experience off with spectacular scenery and this is definitely an opportunity not to be missed.²

The cost of the three-day package is $345 (one-third of the normal cost) with all proceeds going to the Tuatapere Hump Track Trust.

Opened in November 2001, the 43-kilometre Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track passes through bush, beaches and sub-alpine terrain. The breathtaking scenery takes in views of the South Coast, Stewart Island, Lake Poteriteri, Lake Hauroko and mountain ranges deep in Fiordland National Park. The Hump Ridge dominates the landscape from Lake Hauroko to Te Waewae Bay.

Key features of the track include the chance to see Hectors dolphins in Te Waewae Bay, marine terraces with pristine Beech and Podocarp forests, moonscapes of tors and tarns and historic viaducts.

Those taking part in the Meridian Energy Celebrity Walk Week will walk the 43-km track over three days. Each group will be joined by so-far anonymous celebrities.

At the end of a hard day on the track, the groups will be greeted at their huts by chefs who will cook up local fare. Evenings will no doubt be spent sharing tales from the day¹s adventure, and anticipating what the next day might bring.

Each morning, a helicopter will whisk away bags to the next night¹s destination, leaving the walkers with a weight off their shoulders to enjoy their walk in comfort (heli-lifting of packs is subject to weather).

For more information see ­ http://www.humpridgetrack.co.nz/.

ENDS

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