Celebrity debaters spout a load of hot air

MEDIA RELEASE

10 October 2005

Celebrity debaters spout a load of hot air with a serious message

Two of New Zealand's funniest comedians will pitch their intellect, wit and verbiage against each other in a celebrity debate in Palmerston North next week.

Michele A'Court and Raybon Kan will each lead a team arguing the topic: Energy efficiency - good business or just hot air?

The debate is part of the inaugural Airstream Festival, organised by Palmerston North City Council and sponsored by Mighty River Power to celebrate one of the region's strongest natural assets - the wind.

Being held on the 14th and 15th of October, the festival will include a range of different fun and thought-provoking activities and events to celebrate the air up there.

There's a Guinness World Record kite flying attempt at Coronation Park, a free symposium on sustainable energy, skydiving and trampoline and BMX NZ displays in the Square and even a special screening of what else but Gone With the Wind.

Michele A'Court is one of this country's best known comedians and debaters. A regular on TV's Pulp Comedy, a former host of What Now? and the Laugh! Festival, she's also an actress, freelance journalist, scriptwriter and entertainer.

Raybon Kan is equally well-known for his comedy and debating skills. He's headlined four sell-out shows, authored several books and dabbled in acting. He too is a seasoned debater and is currently on our TV screens fronting the Freedom Air ads.

The two will head teams that go head to head in a debate at the Regent Theatre, 7pm Friday the 14th of October. Tickets are $15 available from Ticketdirect 0800 4 ticket (0800 484 235).

Other team members include Professor Ralph Sims, the Director of the Centre for Energy Research at Massey University and a member of the Board of the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), Professor Don Cleland from Massey University's Institute of Technology and Engineering, and Massey students Rosemary Perry and Shaun Healy.

Palmerston North Mayor Heather Tanguay says Airstream is one of a series of planned events aimed at bringing the community and business together to celebrate the region's natural assets.

"We've put together a range of activities to celebrate the recreation and sustainable energy potential of wind.

"There will be something for everyone to enjoy and learn from, and we hope to get a good crowd along for the celebrity debate - it will definitely be a night of wit, hilarity, and of course lots of hot air!"

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