Ellerslie Flower Show Glittering Gala

Media Release
9 November 2004

ELLERSLIE FLOWER SHOW CELEBRATES 10th BIRTHDAY WITH GLITTERING GALA

The Ellerslie Flower Show's 10th anniversary event is shaping up to be the biggest, brightest show yet ­ with new sponsors, new owners and a fresh new flavour that incorporates fashion, flowers, art, spectacular lighting and world-class entertainment.

The show opens with a glittering gala evening on Tuesday November 23 and continues for six days of celebrations at the Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens in Manukau City.

TVONE presenters Simon Dallow and Alison Mau will host the gala night festivities and Dame Catherine Tizard will officially open the 10th Anniversary show.

Internationally-acclaimed jazz musician Nathan Haines will perform a live concert as VIPs and gala guests are wined and dined in what is being billed as 'New Zealand's Biggest, Brightest, Most Beautiful Garden Party'.

The 10th Anniversary event is a double cause for celebration given that the show's future was threatened earlier this year when it was put up for sale by its founders, the Rotary Club of Auckland.

There were fears the 2004 event would have to be postponed but in April it was sold to a consortium of event managers who sought new sponsors to ensure the show's continued success.

"With a fortnight to go until our 10th Anniversary show opens, we'd like to take this opportunity to formally thank our new Gold sponsors, New Zealand Gardener magazine and the Sunday Star-Times," says EFS Charitable Trust Chairman Steve Bramley.

"Without their vital, unswerving support and the long-term commitment of their publishers, Fairfax New Zealand, we would not have been able to stage this year's show," he says.

New Zealand Gardener is sponsoring the 2004 Speaker Series at Ellerslie, which boasts a line-up of international experts and celebrity gardeners from Sydney to San Diego.

The Sunday Star-Times is sponsoring the Exhibition Gardens and is also backing a stylish contemporary outdoor kitchen garden designed by award-winning Auckland landscaper Norma de Langan.

The 10th Anniversary Ellerslie Flower Show will feature more than 4500-sqm of cutting-edge landscaped gardens, including the largest ever outdoor garden ever attempted at the show. Proudly sponsored by Pacific Retail Finance, the 1200-sqm Celebration Garden is designed by Waikato landscaper Murray Lye and pays horticultural homage to Ellerslie's 10 year history.

Tourism New Zealand's world-beating Chelsea Flower Show garden is also being recreated at Ellerslie so that Kiwi gardeners can experience the magic of New Zealand's gold medal-winning garden.

The Chelsea Garden is expected to be a huge drawcard, as is 'Art Out There' ­ the largest professionally curated outdoor art exhibition in New Zealand. This exhibition is staged by the Waiheke Community Art Gallery and includes work by 60 leading sculptors including Jeff Thomson, Phillip Luxton, Penny Ericson and Fatu Feu'u.

In the Floral Marquee, fashion designers from Fashion Industry New Zealand have inspired top florists to create exquisite installations. A range of exclusive commemorative t-shirts designed by Annah S, Vamp and Pumpkin Patch will be on sale.

The 10th Anniversary Ellerslie Flower Show is also opening late for the first time. On Friday 26 November and Saturday 27 November the gates will be open until 10pm to showcase all the latest innovative outdoor lighting effects.

Tickets to the 10th Anniversary Ellerslie Flower Show are on sale now at Ticketek. Phone: (09) 307 5000 or visit www.ticketek.co.nz. Adult tickets cost $35; children aged 5-14 $5; Under 5s free.

ENDS

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