Ellerslie Experience begins countdown

11 March 2008

Christchurch began its countdown to hosting its first Ellerslie International Flower Show today (Tuesday, 11 March) with the opening of the Ellerslie Experience. 

The Ellerslie Experience exhibition gives Christchurch residents and visitors to the city a taste of the internationally recognised event which the city will host from March 2009. 

Located on the Archery Lawn, in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, the Ellerslie Experience is open from 12 to 25 March, from 9am to 6pm daily. 

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said it was an exciting day as 11 March marked the one-year countdown to the first Ellerslie International Flower Show in the city.

 “We have a new venue in Christchurch and Hagley Park; work is well underway on creating an exciting world-class event; and today we have not only launched a stunning new brand which reflects the energy and excitement associated with hosting this internationally recognised event but we have announced the signing of our first major new sponsor – Christchurch International Airport Ltd. 

“In just a few months, Christchurch has quickly embraced the wonderful opportunity the Ellerslie International Flower Show brings to our city. There is a real buzz among the horticultural, tourism and business communities, as well as our own residents, and this is fantastic.

“The Ellerslie Experience had been made possible by the tremendous support of both City Care and Solid Energy.” 

He said the Ellerslie Experience, a multiple gold award-winning exhibition garden, showcases to the city the high calibre of exhibit which the Ellerslie International Flower Show will exhibit. 

“Ellerslie is about innovation, inspiration and creating a sense of excitement about a leisure activity which is at the heart of our city’s image – gardens. These are the very elements that are captured in the Earth Sharing Life exhibition garden. “Sustainability is also a key theme of this garden. It challenges us all to take individual responsibility in restoring and preserving the environment for future generations. This magnificent garden asks us all to consider the legacy and footprints we leave behind on earth.  

“It is truly awe-inspiring and fits with the work being done by Christchurch City Council to create a sustainable future. As Earth Sharing Life shows, we all have a role to play in caring for our environment.” 

Designed by Julie Moore (Plantet Earth Ltd) and Lynn Cairney (Fusion Landscape Design Ltd), Earth Sharing Life takes the visitor on a journey through their concept that earth provides all and humankind must nurture the earth. 

Solid Energy’s commitment to sustainability and its target of having a net positive effect in the environment is behind its support for the Ellerslie Experience.

 Solid Energy’s National Environmental Manager Mark Pizey said Solid Energy was very well known as a coal producer and there was no question that mining had an impact on the land. 

“What is less known is the huge amount of work and effort we put in to rehabilitating and planting our current and former mines; our support for other positive environmental initiatives and for a range of events and community initiatives across the country in our local communities.” 

City Care – the gardener to the Garden City – has provided sponsorship support to the Ellerslie Experience, as well as labour and specialist advice to help create the exhibit.  

”City Care is committed to working with Christchurch City Council to build a better environment for the Garden City,” says City Care Chief Executive, Onno Mulder. “Being a part of the Ellerslie Experience has been an exciting and rewarding opportunity to reflect this commitment. We look forward to preparing the city for the 2009 Ellerslie International Flower Show in Hagley Park.” 

City Care has been maintaining Christchurch’s parks, reserves, gardens and waterways since 1999, providing residents with attractive living and recreational environments. Outside of Christchurch the company provides construction, maintenance and management services across New Zealand’s infrastructure and amenity assets.

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