Join a Pacific Crowd at the Cloud

Media release
23 August 2011

Join a Pacific Crowd at the Cloud

The Pacific is being packed into Auckland’s Cloud, in a free three-day event showcasing the best of the region to Kiwis and international visitors arriving for the Rugby World Cup.

The Pacific Showcase is the first opportunity visitors will have to experience the new waterfront venue. The event, which runs from Tuesday 6 September to Thursday 8 September, coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Pacific Islands Forum.

The event will provide an unprecedented opportunity to connect Pacific enterprises with consumers, retailers and potential suppliers in New Zealand – one of the region’s most important trading partners. It will also bring them into contact with visitors from around the world who will be here ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Featuring a vibrant fusion of art, travel, music, dance, food, furniture, beauty, jewellery and fashion from throughout the Pacific Islands, the showcase demonstrates there is plenty more to the Pacific than blue skies and white sand beaches.

“When we think of the Pacific, we imagine palm trees and gorgeous beaches. But the Pacific is also a hub of superb products, arts and culture. The Pacific Showcase is an opportunity for visitors and New Zealanders to experience this side of the Pacific first hand.

“Many of the products and cultural experiences people will see at the showcase are uniquely Pacific because they reflect the communities, and are inspired by the lands, from which they are sourced.

“When you step into the Pacific Showcase, you will leave New Zealand and step into Pacific life,” says spokeswoman Meg Poutasi.

The Pacific Showcase includes:

- Celebrated and emerging artists creating artworks over the course of the event, including live tatau (tattoo), tivaevae and lei makers, weavers and painters.

- Performers from the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tahiti, Solomon Islands, and Tokelau will be delighting audiences with dance, drums, singing, storytelling and other musical performances.

- Twenty-four of the Pacific’s most innovative food producers will be sampling and selling gourmet gastronomic treats such as spices, coffee, chutneys and jams, honey, noni juice and tropical fruit.

- Award winning chef, Robert Oliver, will be holding cooking demonstrations to teach contemporary cuisine from across the South Pacific.

- Fashion, jewellery, beauty, furniture and tourism experiences displaying and selling their wares.

- A spotlight on renewable energy, fisheries, business and infrastructure development in the region.

The Pacific Showcase opening dates and times are: Tuesday 6 September from 10am - 5.30pm, Wednesday 7 September from 12noon - 8pm and Thursday 8 September from 10am - 4pm.

ENDS

© Scoop Media