The park has been created by the development of farmland into botanic parkland that will feature, initially, unique gardens landscaped in conjunction with six sister cities and a Canterbury native plant garden. Over the past two years major landscaping and tree planting have transformed the farmland.

The project has been developed by Gardens 2000, one of 14 advisory groups of Turning Point 2000, that was set up to co-ordinate events and projects for the new millennium and the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Canterbury province.

The official opening by Sir Michael will take place at 1.30pm on Saturday 17 February. The public is urged to attend and make a day of it - and is encouraged to take a picnic and something to sit on.

• The event marks the first occasion that official delegations from each of the sister cities will be in Christchurch at the same time.
• Speeches at the opening will be led by the chairman of the Turning Point 2000 Trust Board, Ian Leggat, Sir Michael (who will also unveil a plaque mounted on a rock taken from the quarry), Garry Moore, and officials from sister cities.
• A ceremonial flag raising will be held to represent the friendly relationships among the sister cities of Adelaide, Australia, Christchurch, England, Gansu Province, China, Kurashiki, Japan, Seattle, USA, and Songpa Gu, Korea.

Further information: John Taylor, the Sister Cities’ Gardens working group chairman: 332 1685 or Rachel Leitch, Liaison Officer, Turning Point 2000.

Related link: Christchurch's sister cities website

Photo opportunities prior to the opening:
- Male and female wooden statues at the entrance of the Songpa Gu garden and a stone male, female and lantern statutes within this garden, too.
- Oamaru stone-carved seats in the Seattle garden that represent northwest coast Indian art.
- Two poles will be placed at the entrance of the Gansu garden to indicate the site of the grand entrance.
- The Kurashiki garden has a pagoda at its entranceway.

NB: The Sister Cities’ Gardens working group is under the umbrella of Gardens 2000, a Turning Point 2000 Advisory Group. Ongoing management of the park will be in the hands of the City Council’s Parks and Waterways Unit. Funds for the park have come from the Community Trust, the Lottery Grants Board Millennium Fund, the City Council, and private donors.