The Auckland
Regional Council (ARC) and Manukau City Council have agreed
to continue to work together to promote a series of horticultural,
musical and other cultural events at the Auckland Botanic
Gardens.
The two Councils have decided not to go into a head to head
competition with the Auckland Flower Show.
The Ellerslie International Flower Show, formerly held at
the Auckland Botanic Gardens in Manukau City, departed for
Christchurch in 2007. The ARC and Manukau City have been
working together to determine the feasibility of creating
a replacement show and carried out a Request for Proposal
(RfP) process.
ARC Chairman Michael Lee says the Councils received some
interesting proposals that examined the demand for an event
focussed on gardening and horticulture. The advent of the
Auckland Flower Show, an independently organised event being
held at Alexandra Park, was also taken into consideration.
“We looked at a number of replacement options and
would like to thank all those that took part in the Request
for Proposal process.
“At the end of the day, we decided it would not be
prudent to create an event that would compete with the privately
funded Auckland Flower Show,” he says.
Manukau Mayor Len Brown stressed that the Councils are committed
to working collaboratively on other event opportunities
at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.
“We would love to see an annual event that celebrates
Manukau’s diversity at the Gardens. The ARC looks
after a stunning regional facility on our doorstep and it
makes sense for us to work together to create a uniquely
Manukau celebration, exhibition or festival,” he says.
Both Councils wish the Auckland Flower Show well with its
new venture. |
Select a Florist
