This will be part of the Chilean week in Christchurch, says Carlos Appelgren, Chilean Ambassador to New Zealand. The week will feature a Chilean Film Festival, a photographic exhibition titled Rapa Nui: The Hidden Treasure of the Pacific, a Flavours from Chile food festival, and diverse activities with Lincoln University,The Arts Centre, the City Council, and other institutions.

New Zealand exports to Latin and South America are growing strongly and Chile is also growing in importance as a destination for investment. Last year Chile bought just under $50 million of NZ exports and services. There are more than 40 companies from the Canterbury region that are doing business with Chile.

The Chilean-Kiwi community’s celebration on 18 September will cap off a week of cultural, educational and commercial exchanges and events in and around Christchurch. The city has about 100 families with strong links to Chile.

Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce chief executive Peter Townsend is Chile’s honorary consul for the South Island. He says it is a mark of Canterbury’s growing importance to Chile that the National Day celebrations have been brought south from Wellington.

Chilean Week in Christchurch begins on 16 September with a visit by Ambassador Appelgren to Mayor Garry Moore. At the Arts Centre people will be able to watch during the week as a Chilean artisan carves a work which will symbolise the links between the two countries.