24 November 2005

Cultural Performance Garden Becomes Permanent Resident Of Manukau City

The award-winning Manukau City Council Cultural Performance Garden at Ellerslie Flower Show is being relocated to Pou Kapua, adjacent to the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, as a permanent fixture for the public to enjoy.

The Cultural Performance Garden was awarded a silver medal at the Show and with 300 performers treating crowds to everything from Kapa Haka to Belly Dancing and Opera, it’s easy to see how it became a crowd favourite!

Along with impressing Show visitors from the local Manukau area and around New Zealand, the Cultural Performance Garden is set to appear in a documentary coordinated by the BBC during their time at Ellerslie Flower Show, which attracted over 70,000 people.

Journalists from all corners of the globe were wowed by the Cultural
Performance Garden and the fantastic performers on show, with Maori, Asian, Fijian, British and Pacific media witnessing stunning performances during Show week.

Created by Manukau City Council Parks and Chow:Hill, the garden featured plants, a carving and structures designed to reflect the City’s unique and intriguing landscape.

Pou Kapua is known as Manukau’s Cultural Landmark. As the world’s tallest Maori/Pacific carving, it stands outside the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in the heart of Manukau City.

Cultural stories of creation and migration are intricately carved in three-dimensional style from ancient Kauri and Totara trees.

The Manukau City Council Cultural Performance Garden will complement the cultural significance of Pou Kapua, as guests will share in the stories of Pou Kapua while they enjoy the gardens.

Laura Grant, Project Manager for Event Sponsorship at Manukau City Council, says the Cultural Performance Garden provided performers throughout Manukau with the opportunity to celebrate their culture through music and dance.

“The Performance Garden was a huge success and demonstrates the level of talent in the Manukau region.

There are already plans underway to create another performance space for next year’s Ellerslie Flower Show, which is just fantastic!” says Laura.

ENDS

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