25 August 2011

Watch out for whacky sheep!

As part of the Auckland Council’s HeART of the Nation festivities the Whacky Flock, 22 giant fibreglass sheep, are turning up all over the region.

Decorated by schools, community groups and businesses, they sport a host of psychedelic kiwiana themes ranging from buzzy bees and jandals to kiwifruit and paua.

Small flocks of whacky sheep will mingle with crowds at several festival events and locations and visitors can see them grazing as they fly into Auckland.

Keep an eye out for the Black Sheep, the intrepid adventurer who gets out on his own and pops up in the most unexpected places. Spot him, and you could be in to win a prize.

Don’t miss an opportunity to get up close to take your family’s or friends’ photographs with members of the flock.

The Whacky Flock will reunite at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manurewa for the last two weeks of the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Admirers will have the chance to bid for their favourite sheep with proceeds going to charity. Auction details will be available on the HeART of the Nation website.

The Whacky Flock and Welcome Words are brought to you by Auckland Council in partnership with the Manukau Beautification Trust.

For more information go to www.heartofthenation.co.nz.

HeART of the Nation

The HeART of the Nation programme is delivered by Auckland Council and its partners for the benefit of the community during the Rugby World Cup 2011. It is part of the larger, government funded REAL New Zealand Festival 2011.

HeART of the Nation celebrates our unique creative and sporting communities with a programme of events and activities across the south and east of Auckland during the tournament.

As well as a host of activities, local communities and visitors can get together to enjoy big screen entertainment and loads of festivities at three locations:

• Lloyd Elsmore Park at Pakuranga: 15, 16 and 23 October
• Massey Park Stadium, Papakura: Saturday, 8 October
• TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Manurewa: 9 to 24 October.

Other HeART of the Nation activities include:

• From the Waka to the Pah – an Auckland tourist trail that starts at TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre (the Waka) and concludes at the award winning TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre in the Pah Homestead.
• Welcome Words – artistic word installations in the languages of the 20 visiting rugby teams will greet guests as they fly into Auckland.
• The Biggest Fan - Junior, a rugby playing character will be performing at festival sites.
• Kiwi Kids Just Kidding Around - enjoy the jokes created by our youngest comedians on the big screen at TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre.

The REAL New Zealand Festival 2011 will showcase New Zealand’s arts, food, wine, culture and lifestyle to the world.

Supported by NZ Lotteries grant funding, the programme has been designed as a festival of rugby for a stadium of four million people across the country.

For full programme details visit www.heartofthenation.co.nz.

ENDS

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