News briefs for June 2004 from NCC (New Zealand) Ltd, venue manager for the Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch Town Hall and Westpac Centre for Sport and Entertainment.
Images to accompany these news briefs are available on request to
CHRISTCHURCH: There are two new Ticketek outlets serving the Canterbury region - at Timaru and University of Canterbury. Ticketek is now providing ticketing services for the Theatre Royal in Christchurch. This comes at a time when there is a record number of events available, and several world class acts coming to Christchurch, such as Spirit of the Dance, The Seekers (July), UB40 (August) and Andre Botcelli (Sept).
CHRISTCHURCH: There has been much activity going on in preparation for Meetings 2004 at the Christchurch Convention Centre, 21 - 22 July. This exclusively New Zealand exhibition for the conference, meetings, events, exhibition, and travel incentive industries hasn't been held in Christchurch before. Host city organising committee chair Cathy Hemsworth said there will be a very high number of exhibitors and buyers coming to Christchurch for what's become the leading industry forum for global buyers considering NZ products. The gala dinner at the Westpac Centre is being themed to make sure everyone has a memorable night!
CHRISTCHURCH: The World Premiere for Disney Live! Winnie the Pooh and the Perfect Day was successfully held at the Westpac Centre for Sport and Entertainment, 16 - 20 June. This spectacular international stage show featuring Pooh Bear and the favourite characters from the Hundred Acre Wood is the first production of the new DisneyLive! brand of global live family entertainment, owned by Feld Entertainment Inc. CEO and producer Kenneth Feld and Mrs Bonnie Feld were in Christchurch for the opening of the 162 city world wide tour, and celebrated with cast and crew at the "Pooh in Paradise" themed opening night party. This is the first time any Disney show has premiered outside mainland USA. Mike Kelly of NCC (NZ) Ltd had spent 6 years trying to secure a world premiere and was delighted it lived up to expectations." It was everything it was promised to be. It was truly a world premiere with all of the trappings that come with it, including Kenneth and Bonnie Feld's bonding with the cast and crew, and an emotional launch for what will undoubtedly have extended legs."
CHRISTCHURCH: The first ice floor to be installed in the 32 year old Christchurch Town Hall was prepared for ICA Ltd's production of the Imperial Russian Ice Stars in The Sleeping Beauty on Ice, James Hay Theatre, 17 - 27 June 2004. The 15m x 13 m rink used 14,000 tonnes of ice to prepare a perfect surface for the 22 skating champions who made the fairy tale come to spectacular life to wildly appreciative audiences.
CHRISTCHURCH: The city is having one of its busiest winters ever with more than 250 separate events using the three venues managed by NCC (NZ) Ltd during May - October. Executive Director Mike Kelly said he's never seen the Convention Centre, Town Hall and Westpac Centre so busy - but he couldn't be happier about that! "It's wonderful to see these public facilities being used to capacity and it gives the city a mid winter buzz, as well as bringing practical and business benefits to hotels, restaurants, shops, transport providers and attractions. This level of activity, involving well over 100,000 people, is a significant achievement."
CHRISTCHURCH: The Westpac Centre has been confirmed as the host for TRENZ 2005, the country's premier international tourism tradeshow. Considered a tourism powerhouse, TRENZ is the national showcase event fort he industry which last year earned more than $6 billion and attracted 2.1 million visitors. Tourist arrivals have grown 6% a year in the past three decades and the Ministry of Tourism forecasts spending by visitors to grow about 9.7% each year until 2009. TRENZ 2004, also held in Christchurch, hosted about 450 overseas travel buyers. Tourisms Rendezvous New Zealand is staged by Tourism Industry Association NZ, Air New Zealand, Qantas and other industry partners.
CHRISTCHURCH: The Christchurch Convention Centre and Town Hall are popular stops on the Christchurch Arts Trail, with many visitors admiring their range of public art. The largest work is Philip Trusttum's 84-metre long acrylic mural Passport to the New Millennium on the west wall of the Convention Centre. Two Trusttum banners, each 10m deep, hang in the foyer - Rev XX 1-2. A Trusttum designed 15 sq m tapestry hangs in the Town Hall. Tapestry 2000 was woven by Marilyn Rea-Menzies to celebrate the year 2000. Other art works at the Convention Centre include Bing Dawe's metal sculpture Bird Removing Foreign Object from its Wing, Bill Culbert's dramatic neon shape BLUE, and Sue Cooke's painting of the Port Hills. The Town Hall public art collection includes the Pat Henley mural RAINBOW, several tapestries and wall hangings crafted by local groups. The architectural detail of the building itself also attracts much interest and inspection.
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