Tourist trail highlights the best of art and culture
Media release
31 August 2011
Tourist
trail highlights the best of art and
culture
Experience Auckland's warm hospitality with
HeART of the Nation's unique cultural tourist trail, From
the Waka to the Pah.
Span the contour of the land from
the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre (the Waka), home of
the Pou Kapua, to Auckland's new cultural destination, the
award-winning TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre in the Pah
Homestead (the Pah), which features work from some of New
Zealand's best contemporary artists.

Experience the cultural
diversity of a trail that includes history, art, retail
destinations, wineries, fun parks and gardens as well as a
host of other experiences.
You can cruise the trail
with your loved ones in the family car or feel the wind in
your face and hire a ride on the back of a Harley
Davidson.
From the excitement of Rainbows End Fun
Park, you can satisfy your appetite for history by visiting
a range of historically and culturally significant locations
including Otuataua Stonefields Historical Reserve, Te Puea
Marae and St James Anglican Church, built by early settlers
and local Maori.
Break your journey at Villa Maria
Vineyard Café where you can share lunch and a glass of wine
while overlooking the Ihumatao vineyard.

Continue following the
tourist path to Auckland Botanic Gardens with its brilliant
display of native and exotic fauna. Its 2km garden trail
also hosts an exhibition of 21 large-scale sculptures by
leading New Zealand artists.
Enjoy a spot of shopping
at Mangere Bridge Village with its eclectic range of family
owned shops or simply people watch and while away the day at
one of the cafes.
At Ambury Regional Park you can
experience a working Kiwi farm. An important educational
centre and birdwatchers paradise, the farm hosts its annual
family day on 16 October where a festival atmosphere is
enjoyed by up to 50,000 visitors.
From the Waka to the
Pah tourist trail is active from 1 September to 31
October.
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. * 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. * The Whacky Flock - 22 giant brightly
coloured, fibreglass sheep are turning up all over the city.
Spot the elusive Black Sheep and you could be in to win a
prize. * 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.
For full programme details and to download a
map go to
www.heartofthenationco.nz
HeART of the Nation
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:
Other HeART of the Nation activities
include:
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