Pohutukawa Festival 2004 Update

Pohutukawa Festival 2004 Update

Kia ora!

The Coromandel Peninsula's Launch into Summer, the Pohutukawa Festival is set to be taken to new levels this year. Pencil 26 Nov - 12 Dec into your diaries now!!

The Coromandel is a favourite getaway destination for many Kiwi's and this years festival will highlight why, with a range of events showcasing the great outdoors, conservation projects, cuisine and culture - timed to coincide with the Pohutukawa in bright RED full bloom.

Highlights of this years festival cater for a range of interests, making it a celebration for you've got to be a part of!

The Great Coromandel Debate will play off the healthy rivalry between the East and West Coasts of the Peninsula, the topic "That West is Best" is sure to get a few people fired up. The debate will be held twice, in Whitianga and Coromandel, including a seafood dinner and surprise celebrity speakers on both teams.

The Pohutukawa Party on 4 Dec, will be a HUGE celebration of the regions food, wine and entertainers in a Wine and Food festival hit the street outside the Civic Centre, Thames.

People will get a chance to see Kiwi in their natural environment, in a series of exclusive Kiwi safari's which will showcase NZ's Kiwi Recovery program, pioneered on the Coromandel and doing wonders for the Kiwi population of the area.

The Kauri Run, an event staged by Adventure Racing Coromandel, our local endurance gurus, will see a challenging off road marathon cross the ranges from Waikawau Bay to Coromandel, run through regenerating bush where Kauri once stood tall. A Kauri tree will be planted for every competitor who runs the race in conjunction with Kauri 2000.

Each town will compete in the Coromandel Cuisine Challenge - in which each major town will compete to stage the best progressive dinner of the festival. Restaurants are already busy devising their ultimate cuisine trail!

The Whitianga Swim Classic will be held in the spectacular setting of Buffalo Beach overlooking Mercury Bay, a 1km swim with great spot prizes!

Mercure Grand Puka Park lodge are adding their own touch to this years festival with a Jazz Lunch marking the festival finale in Pauanui!

Other highlights being finalised include art exhibitions, heritage events, entertainment in a variety of venues, NZ's first diving festival, a kite show in Whangamata and an outdoors expo for those looking at the best camping and outdoors gear for the long summer ahead.

The festival is staged by the talented people, community groups and businesses of the region - make sure you join in the party!

Events will reach Whangamata, Whitianga, Coromandel, Thames, Pauanui and Tairua. Keep an eye on www.pohutukawafest.com for more details and follow the programme as dates and details are finalised.

For those in Auckland and Hamilton stay tuned for our festival roadshow in mid November.

A range of AWESOME sponsors will be announced soon and profiled in the programme to be released in spring - get in touch if you'd like to help out!

Proceeds from this years festival will go towards a range of conservation and community charities.

Phew - thats all for now....... (and a big thanks to those pitching in to make the event a success so far)

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