The Queenstown Mountain Bike Festival (March 22 - April 1) events' line up is stacking up to be the perfect way to showcase not only some of New Zealand's and the world's top riders but also a community spirited festival with a medley of social and family orientated events.

The festival's headline events are the Outside Sports Juice Lubes Super D, a six hours non-stop tag team or individual mountain bike race; the two day Vertigo Bikes Dirtmasters Downhill held on a challenging three kilometre course in the Ben Lomond Forest; the Teva Slopestyle, a heart stopping display of bike acrobatics in the Ballarat Car Park; the Rockn'Roll Enduro mountain bike race based on Coronet Peak; the New World Tour de Wakatipu, 36km or 45km ride from Arrowtown to Chard Farm, and the R&R Mega Avalanche, a marathon style event that mixes gravity-assisted excitement with high levels of fitness.

"We have an incredible line up of internationally recognised hardcore downhillers and top gun riders that take riding bikes very seriously. But the Festival is not just that, there are events for everybody: kids, families, bike fanatics, even non cyclists." says Festival Co-Director Geoff Hunt.

"We have received support from Konica Minolta, Central Lakes Trust, the Community Trust of Southland and the New Zealand Community Trust that have made it possible for us to also stage community and family orientated events."

The Kids MiniX (March 24) is a fun Arrowtown based event, encouraging Kiwi Kids between the ages of 4 to 14 years old and of all sporting abilities to take part. The event is all about participation, having a go and achieving a personal best, while having the opportunity to win lots of prizes, including a brand new bike donated by Arrow Bikes.

New this year is the Konica Minolta Bikes in the Park (March 29) which starts at noon and is free to attend. This is a day of fun bike activities set in the Earnslaw Park, downtown Queenstown. There's a bevy of activities, with a live bike ice carving, a best-dressed bike kids competition, the infamous bikes for fun from Arrowtown and live music. There is also a mini freeride bike jump park where kids will test their skills over seesaws and mini jumps.

Ladies can get their fun too, with the girls only coffee ride on March 26, or for the more adventurous there is the non competitive race with the League of Ladies (March 29 - 7-Mile), a fun downhill race reserved for women riders only,

Other social rides include an introduction to night riding with the Night Time Mountain Bike ride taking locals and visitors on a moonlight adventure, the Queenstown Bike tours Coffee to Grape experience, promising luscious food and wine testing, and those more inclined to cross country can join the Pedallers's escorted Hilton Queenstown bike ride on March 28.

Other events to watch include the Bike Polo Half Day tournament, taking place at the Remarkables Park on March 23, where teams of three battle it out for the honours, and of course the highly unique and spectacular Teva Slopestyle on March 28.

Finishing the week off is the festival's Mega Party at the AJ Hackett Centre on March 31, which will be a celebration of all things bike with highlights videos of the week, the crowning of the festival's King and Queen, DJ and night bungee jumps.

For more information on these event and more, visit the festival web site www.queenstownbikefestival.com

The Queenstown Bike Festival, "It's all about the bike and more", is a ten day festival combining more than 25 events featuring all type of bikes, be it mountain bikes, downhill, cross-country, or road bikes through a diversity of events that you can participate in, support, or just watch.

Bright yellow shoes sit neatly at the entrance to Wellington’s St James Theatre, as if shed by a polite visitor. Inside, the trail of yellow shoes leads up the plush staircase to Trace Your Footsteps, an interactive project where people can recall and record their memories of the 14 international arts festivals held to date in the capital.

As the New Zealand Festival prepared to move into a new office space at the St James, it gave a team of young designers from Massey University 14 days, a tiny budget and an open brief to devise and construct a project that explored Festival memories. Trace Your Footsteps is the result.

The team from Open Lab, the design studio of Massey’s College of Creative Arts, created a souvenir booklet with memory-jogging pictures from all festivals, and an interactive system where people can record their personal festival memories online or on paper, and share them with others.

In effect, says Open Lab Director Anna Brown, “the students retraced the footsteps of other designers, artists and storytellers who worked on past festivals.”

New Zealand Festival Executive Director Sue Paterson says the organisation is “thrilled to be working with the talented young students at Massey’s Open Lab. The festival is a place where people experience extraordinary moments – both on and off stage. In those moments lasting memories are created. Even years later, some memories remain as vivid and as emotionally compelling as when they were formed. We welcome you to share your memories and add to the fabric of our festival history – in person or on our social media channels.”

This is not the first time the festival has collaborated with Massey design students. A Massey student Phil Tan was employed as design intern for last year’s festival through brand and communications agency The Church. This year, another student Kieran Stowers is design intern for the 2013 Wellington Jazz Festival, this time based at Open Lab.

Share your stories online at shareyourstory.co.nz or on paper at the interactive Story Wall on the 1st Floor of the St James, Courtenay Place, Wellington

See stories uploaded to Facebook at facebook.com/nzfestival

Follow progress on Twitter @nzfestival #festivalmemories

The exhibition runs until the afternoon of Monday February 4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj21gdeoUcY

Ellerslie International Flower Show is bringing Weta Workshop to Christchurch, with their fantasy sculptures featuring in former All Black Andy Ellis and landscape architect Danny Kamo’s gold medal winning entry from the Singapore Garden Festival.

The international award-winning garden by design duo Kamo and Ellis has been adapted and will provide the stunning setting for Johnny Fraser-Allen’s The Gloaming exhibition, curated and presented by Sir Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger from Weta Workshop.

Fraser-Allen, a senior sculptor and conceptual designer at Weta Workshop, created the sculptures for the popular exhibition that ran in Wellington late last year.  The sculptural portraits are based on Eurocentric and Pacific mythological creatures and will be located within the native bush garden.

“It’s exciting to be part of Ellerslie and quite a change for me.  I already knew quite a lot about the show though as my mother and grandmother live in Christchurch and go along every year to check it out,” Fraser-Allen says.

Kamo and Ellis are thrilled their garden – that won gold in July last year at the Singapore Garden Festival against 15 of the world’s top garden designers – has been given a new twist.  It will still feature the cave that was created by Weta Workshop previously, but the shaking movement has been removed.

“This is something really different that we are sure will transport young and old alike into a world of fantasy.  It is great to be able to adapt the garden and work on something new for the show,” Kamo, of KamoMarsh Landscape Architects, says.

The pair has twice competed at Ellerslie International Flower Show, winning Gold, the Supreme Award for Design Excellence, Silver and a Lighting Award.

Fraser-Allen is particularly happy the children of Christchurch will have the opportunity to see The Gloaming in person.

“My goal is to make the fantastical more realistic for kids, as well as inspire adults to imagine the stories that surround them. They (the sculptures) are so much part of my own life I could write a small thesis on each one of them”.

The garden will be one of the feature exhibits at the show, to be held at North Hagley Park from 6 to 10 March 2013.

Exhibition Manager Kate Hillier anticipates it will be one of the most popular gardens.

Discounted tickets at Early Bird prices are available until midnight on 14 February 2013 from the website www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz, all open Christchurch City Council Service Centres, Mitre 10 Mega Stores in Christchurch, Ashburton and Timaru, Terra Viva and Nichols Garden Centres.

Follow Ellerslie International Flower Show on Facebook

This Saturday is your chance to experience Pacific Island life without leaving town.

In fact, Wellingtonians only have to travel to Waitangi Park for Positively Pasifika 2013: We Are the Ocean. The festival theme celebrates Pacific Islanders' voyaging cultures and connections.

The festival kicks off at 9.30am with an ocean-themed procession, starting at Jack Ilott Green in Civic Square, to Waitangi Park.

Local Pacific communities will share cultures, traditions and delicious food, and there will be cultural performances and demonstrations.

The headline acts for Positively Pasifika are up-and-coming soul funkstress Iva Lumkum and Brownhill - a sunshine reggae band - featuring Swiss.

There will also be a talent quest, and fun competitions like jandal-kicking, tug-of-war and a chop suey taste-off. Or bring your own ukulele and learn an island ditty at the ukulele workshop.

Positively Pasifika 2013: We Are the Ocean, Waitangi Park, 11.00am - 6.00pm, Saturday 19 January. For more information, see:

Events - Positively Pasifika 2013: We are the Ocean

A legendary group of Kiwi musicians will headline Shades of Summer 2013 – a brand new outdoor concert that will be held at Whitianga next Easter.

Dave Dobbyn, Opshop, Greg Johnson and the Dukes are expected to draw a huge crowd to Whitianga Waterways, one of the most stunning outdoor venues in New Zealand. They’ll perform on Easter Saturday (March 30) throughout the afternoon and early evening in what promises to be a fantastic weekend getaway and the perfect way to farewell summer.

Musician Greg Johnson says the outdoor afternoon show has become a real Kiwi summer tradition. “The laidback summer vibe suits my music really well and we’re excited to be on this excellent bill.”

Shades of Summer 2013 will be one of the only opportunities to see Dave Dobbyn perform alongside some of New Zealand’s finest singer/songwriters this summer and those looking to attend are encouraged to take advantage of pre-sale tickets.

Shades of Summer 2013 is brought to you by Jump Entertainment, who last year brought international acts the Doobie Brothers and Little River Band to Whitianga.

Jump Entertainment promoter, Mark Millar, says Shades of Summer will be an annual Coromandel concert and is set to become a must-see event for people who love good music.

“Whitianga is the perfect venue for an outdoor gig of this caliber. It’s an easy drive from Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga, and the stunning waterway canals and Coromandel ranges offer an awesome backdrop to this event.

“People who want to make the most of a long Easter weekend will be able to enjoy some of the most iconic Kiwi musicians and fresh new talent New Zealand has to offer. Whitianga Waterways and Lake Chalice wines are sponsoring the event, and there will be a wide range of premium food and drink available from a diverse range of providers,” Millar says.

The concert venue will open at 12 noon, with the Dukes scheduled to perform at 1pm, followed by Greg Johnson at 2pm, Opshop at 3pm, and Dave Dobbyn at 5pm. Millar says the show will go ahead rain or shine, and people are welcome to bring their own picnic food, blankets and chairs.

Tickets are on sale from December 20th from Ticketek and all Coromandel iSites. Early bird tickets cost $65 until 20th January and are $75 thereafter, while gate sales are $80. One child under the age of 11 will be admitted free with one paying adult.

After months of planning the countdown has started for Summerdaze.

The programme for the month long festival has been delivered to residences district-wide and Queenstown Lakes District Council arts and events facilitator Jan Maxwell said it was sure to please everyone in every age group.

“We try and strike a balance every year between old favourites and brand new events, “ Mrs Maxwell said.

“This year we’ve even got an old event reformatted. We’ve had outdoor cinema before but this year’s TomTom Outdoor Movies at Remarkables Park will be something to remember.”

Mrs Maxwell said the kite making classes of the last two years had proved so popular that they were also returning.

“There’s a real joy involved in making and flying your own kite,” Mrs Maxwell said.

“These workshops are always massively popular and bookings are definitely recommended. It’s one of the highlights of Summerdaze to see everyone bring the kites they made along to the Grand Kite Display at Pembroke Park. It’s not often we wish for wind during summer but we do on that day!”

Mrs Maxwell also said that while it was important for people to have fun, they also needed to stay safe.

“Holiday time in the Queenstown Lakes District is a very exciting time and there’s a fantastic buzz around the place from New Year’s Eve onwards. We want people to enjoy this as much as possible but there are few things they need to keep in mind to ensure they don’t inadvertently spoil it for themselves and others.”

Mrs Maxwell said people needed to be aware of local restrictions like fire bans and the 24 hour liquor ban that would be in place in central Queenstown from the 27 December to 6 January. They also needed to give thought to personal safety around things like drug and alcohol abuse and transport options.

“We’re looking forward to locals and visitors alike mixing and mingling during Summerdaze,” Mrs Maxwell said.

More details on Summerdaze can be found on the website www.summerdaze.co.nz. Copies of the programme can be picked up from all Council offices and libraries.

Queenstown wine growers will celebrate the 2013 grape harvest with a ‘new look’ event to showcase the region’s wine and food.

Wine growers in Gibbston will throw open their doors on Saturday March 16 to celebrate the upcoming harvest with the new Gibbston Wine and Food Festival.

Winery co-hosts Mt. Rosa and Brennan Wines will welcome food and wine-lovers from across the country to sample the region’s finest wines and epicurean delights while being entertained by an excellent line-up of events and family fun.

Organiser Julie Hughes said the festival had been hugely successful on the local calendar over the last six years when it was known as the Gibbston Harvest Festival.

“The change of name really reflects a new emphasis for us,” she said. “It remains a harvest celebration, with all the associated buzz, but the focus for next year is on sharing and showcasing Gibbston’s world-famous wines complemented by the region’s finest produce and talented chefs.”

Visitors will be able to taste wine from eighteen wineries across the two winery venues, alongside ten stalls featuring a wide selection of local fare.

The line-up next year will feature one of New Zealand’s most awarded Pinot Noir winemakers Grant Taylor of Valli Vineyards.

Gibbston wine pioneer and industry stalwart Alan Brady said winemakers loved to celebrate and share their passion.

“It’s just 31 years since I planted the first vines in Gibbston, a mere ‘blink’ in the history of wine. But already we're building a big reputation for our wines worldwide and in the process establishing our own traditions.

“This festival is one of them, our chance to celebrate our harvest with the wider community who've supported us over the years.”

Ms Hughes said that for wine lovers it was a rare treat to be part of the celebrations and to sample award-winning wines, as well as talk to passionate and pioneering winemakers and viticulturists.

“But we’ve recognised that it’s not only about wine. Otago is also known for its outstanding fresh local produce and meats such as venison, olive oils, cheeses and stone fruits, and the range of reputable chefs whose menus feature in local restaurants and lodges.”

Harvest will not be the only celebration at the Gibbston Wine and Food Festival, as local school Arrowtown Primary will commemorate its 150 years of education by launching a special blend wine made from grapes crushed by pupils, with a label also designed by a pupil.

Ms Hughes said the event had always attracted a big local crowd but with the expanded programme, affordable price tag, wine celebrities and culinary focus, it was expected to appeal to a regional and visitor audience.

“After six years of perfecting the festival and with the support from local associations and tourism-related businesses, we’re excited to take the festival to a wider audience,” she said.

“Queenstown is only 25 minutes’ drive from Gibbston so for its national and international visitors the festival is an excellent reason to take time off in glorious autumn and enjoy the delights and hospitality on offer.

“Queenstown and the surrounding region have very distinct seasons, so visitors can enjoy the magic of the changing autumn colours while sharing good food and wine in a spectacular setting.”

Local wine associations including the Central Otago Winegrowers Association and Central Otago Pinot Noir Limited, along with accommodation providers and tour operators, are all supporting and promoting the festival nationally, while ensuring it retains its local ‘flavour’ and ‘all ages’ appeal.

The festival will run from 11am to approximately 5pm. Entry for the day is just $15 per person which includes a memento glass and three tasting tokens. Children 12 and under are free of charge.

Buses will be available to transport festival-goers to and from Queenstown with pick-up points along the way.

Wellington's annual festival of free concerts and community, cultural and major events is back!

It all kicks off on New Year's Eve with family-friendly entertainment - see the events listing on this page for more information.

Other highlights include the ever-popular ASB Gardens Magic concerts at the Botanic Garden, Te Rā o Waitangi, the Positively Pasifika Festival, Chinese New Year festivities, Films by Starlight, circus shenanigans, the Hertz Sevens, Vans BOWL-A-RAMA skateboarding and much, much more!

Summer City 2013 is proudly presented by Wellington City Council and the New Zealand Community Trust.
Grab a brochure from around town, or check out Summer City's Facebook page for up-to-date information - or download the new Summer City app.

Poet’s Bridge will be turning it on for this season’s TSB Bank Festival of Lights.

Artist Nicola Haines Ramsay has designed a dazzling new lighting display for the bridge, as well as a black-light feature near the Gilbert Street entrance to Pukekura Park.

Says Acting Senior Coordinator Events Anna Carrington: “People will be wowed by the Poet’s Bridge artwork as Nicola will be suspending coloured diamonds above and around the bridge, and visitors will be able to walk among them.

“The artwork is called Sky of Diamonds and it’s the third festival artwork that Nicola has designed for Poet’s Bridge.

“We’re also lucky to have local multimedia artist Tim Gruchy designing a stunning projection for the Fountain Lake, and we’ll have the very popular Sleeping Giant and Grimace the Gorilla returning.”

This year, creation of the evening On Stage entertainment programme was managed by a community working party who called for applications.

“There was an overwhelming response,” says Ms Carrington. “We had more than 150 applications from people who were keen to perform during the festival, covering a wide range of acts. It was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm from performing artists.”

Sixty artists have been selected for the free On Stage programme, which will run every night from Boxing Day to 26 January – including one show at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands. There are also 24 daytime Summer Scene events for pre-schoolers to early teens.

Accessibility has been an important focus of the Council this year, which has worked with Access Taranaki to ensure the festival is fun, exciting and accessible to all members of the community.

“A specific section in the festival brochure has information and lists events for the benefit of those with limited mobility,” says Ms Carrington.

The festival brochure is being printed now and will be delivered to all mailboxes in the district from 5 December. Copies will also be available from the Civic Centre, i-SITES and branches of TSB Bank.

During the Christmas period, festival hosts in Pukekura Park will give out free postcards that promote the TSB Bank Festival of Lights and WOMAD. “Festival visitors can use them to invite friends and family to join the summer fun in New Plymouth,” says Ms Carrington.

The festival fun continues at New Zealand Cup and Show Week today (Thursday 15 November) and throughout Canterbury Anniversary weekend.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker is delighted that so many Cantabrians have taken time out to celebrate the city’s spring festival.   Cantabrians and visitors to our city alike are having fun with their friends and family at the festival events.

“The excitement continues at the 150th Canterbury A&P Show today and tomorrow. This milestone year will be made even more special with the attendance of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall tomorrow (Friday 16 November) afternoon at the show - this will be a highlight of the festival week for many,” he says.

Christchurch City Council’s Marketing Manager Richard Stokes says if you prefer racing action there is plenty of choice for everyone. Tonight you can catch the greyhound racing at Addington Raceway for the Buy Sell & Exchange NZ Greyhound from 5.15pm. The feature face runs at 8.57pm.

“If you are looking for a fun day out, then take your family along to Lindauer Race Day at Addington Raceway tomorrow (Friday 16 November). This is a great day out for everyone with the Jordan Luck band performing and children’s entertainment on course.

“The festival wraps up with the popular Christchurch Casino NZ Cup and New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas Day at Riccarton Park on Saturday 17 November. Last year’s cup winner, Blood Brotha, won by a neck, so another nail biting finish is expected this year. With thrilling race action, the highly sought best dressed competition and unique car park party atmosphere means this special day is always celebrated in style,” he says.

With big crowds expected at festival events, the roads will be busy, so the Council encourages people to take public transport or to take a taxi with friends and family.

To reduce delays, check out road conditions on www.transportforchristchurch.govt.nz before you leave home.  Allow plenty of time to travel as you don’t want to miss the first race.

For more information about events and to find out what is happening during festival week in Christchurch visit www.nzcupandshow.co.nz

Background:

New Zealand Cup and Show Week is Canterbury’s celebration of racing, fashion and agriculture.  The key events coming up this week are:

The 150th Canterbury A&P Show at Canterbury Agricultural Park kicked off yesterday (Wednesday 14 November) and will run on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 November.

The best in canine racing action will take place at Addington Raceway on Thursday 15 November with the Buy Sell & Exchange NZ Greyhound Cup.

Lindauer Race Day at Addington Raceway on Friday 16 November is a great day out for everyone.

The final event of the week is the popular Christchurch Casino NZ Cup and New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas Day at Riccarton Park on Saturday 17 November.

For a full list of key events during the festival visit www.nzcupandshow.co.nz

Pre-release seats for the 2013 SCIRT World Buskers Festival in Christchurch will be available from 9am tomorrow, Wednesday 14 November.

SCIRT World Buskers Festival organisers are urging the public to get in quick to secure their seats online at worldbuskersfestival.com Artistic Director Jodi Wright says last year there were long queues, and some people missed out on seats.

“The 2012 event attracted around 300,000 visitors, and next year’s festival promises to be even bigger and better. Getting in early by securing a seat means you won’t miss out and you won’t need to queue. With street busking, the public choose how much to give to the entertainer, and it’s the same with securing the seats. People choose how much they wish to offer for a seat,” she said.

Fifty per cent of seats will be available on the Buskers website. The remainder will be available on the dates of the show from a booking booth in North Hagley Park.

The Festival runs from 17-27 January and will be based in Christchurch’s Hagley Park.

Seats and information are available at worldbuskersfestival.com

To mark 2013 being the 20th year the festival has run, the organisers have secured several well-known international acts including The Blackstreet Boys, El Gleno Grande and Gamarjobat. The Flying Dutchman, who performed in the early days of the Buskers Festival, will also be returning.

Canterbury’s favourite spring festival, New Zealand Cup and Show Week starts tomorrow (Saturday 10 November).

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker encourages Cantabrians to take time out to celebrate the city’s spring festival.

“It’s a big week ahead with race day action and the celebration of the 150th Canterbury A&P Show. There are events happening all around the city during the festival week. There is so much to do. New Zealand Cup and Show Week will be a chance to enjoy all that the city has to offer and to come together as a community for a week of festivities,” he says.

New Zealand Cup and Show Week’s key events are:

• Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas Day at Riccarton Park on Saturday 10 November.
• The Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington Raceway on Tuesday 13 November.
• The 150th Canterbury A&P Show at Canterbury Agricultural Park will run from Wednesday 14 to Friday 16 November.
• ‘Ladies’ Day’ Couplands’ Bakeries Mile at Riccarton Park on Wednesday 14 November.
• The Buy Sell & Exchange NZ Greyhound Cup at Addington Raceway on Thursday 15 November.
• Lindauer Race Day at Addington Raceway on Friday 16 November.
• The Christchurch Casino NZ Cup and New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas Day at Riccarton Park on Saturday 17 November.

Download PDF of events listing.

Read tabloid online.

Christchurch City Council’s Marketing Manager Richard Stokes says New Zealand Cup and Show Week will launch in style tomorrow with a beautiful spring day forecast.

“The festival will kick off tomorrow with Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas Day at Riccarton Park. 

This popular day, known as ‘Guineas Day’, will feature New Zealand’s best three year olds competing for stakes of $400,000 in the feature race.  With the unbeaten colt Scared Falls favoured to win, a thrilling race is guaranteed. Gates open at 10am and the first race is at 12.15pm,” he says.

With big crowds expected at festival events, the roads will be busy, so the Council encourages people to take public transport or to take a taxi with friends and family.

To reduce delays, check out road conditions on www.transportforchristchurch.govt.nz before you leave home. Allow plenty of time to travel, as you don’t want to miss any of the festival fun.

For more information about events, to purchase tickets and to find out what is happening during festival week in Christchurch visit www.nzcupandshow.co.nz