29th July 2009

Mayor throws down gauntlet to New Zealand local authorities

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has this week thrown down the gauntlet to all New Zealand local authorities and challenged them to wrestle the Zealandia Horticulture National Flower Bed Competition title from the Garden City.

With all the mayors in town for the New Zealand Local Government Conference, he says it was the perfect opportunity to promote the Ellerslie International Flower Show and the Zealandia Horticulture National Flower Bed Competition.

Christchurch won the inaugural title in 2007 at the last Auckland-hosted Ellerslie International Flower Show and again won the title this year with a floral tribute to the controversial Peacock Fountain in the Botanic Gardens.

Both gardens won gold and the overall National Flower Bed title.

Mr Parker says obviously Christchurch will be looking to retain the title when the city stages the 15th Ellerslie International Flower Show in March 2010, living up to its internationally recognised Garden City image.

“Christchurch is proud of its Garden City heritage, the purchase of the Ellerslie International Flower Show helping us to strengthen the brand.

“I challenge every New Zealand local authority to enter the Zealandia Horticulture National Flower Bed Competition in 2010 and attempt to wrestle the title from Christchurch as it goes for the hat trick.

“We will certainly be working hard to retain the title with our Garden City pride at stake,” he says.

The Zealandia Horticulture National Flower Bed Competition is modelled on the traditional flower bed competition by the Royal Horticultural Society of Britain and demonstrates the increasing importance councils and local authorities place on their surroundings.

Mr Parker says Christchurch has already begun working on its 2010 entry.

“We need to be ahead of the competition with next year’s sponsorship of the event by Zealandia Horticulture expected to attract strong entries and some tough competition from throughout the country.”

For further information contact
Ellerslie International Flower Show Communications Adviser
Jan McCarthy
03 941 6412 or 027 637 7912