Plans for a major new flower
show at the Auckland Botanic Gardens in Manukau have taken
another step.
The Manukau City Council and Auckland Regional Council have
asked potential event organisers for proposals with the
possibility a new show could be staged later this year.
The Ellerslie International Flower Show left the botanic
gardens, its home since 1998, after Christchurch City Council
bought the event late last year.
Manukau mayor Len Brown says a business case developed by
his council shows what a successful show might be like.
He is confident it can be held in Manukau by an event organiser
with the right expertise.
The botanic gardens in Manurewa is the best site for such
a show in the country, Mr Brown says.
Many visitors to the previous flower show live in the Auckland
region and Manukau’s position as the gateway to New
Zealand means international media and visitors can be attracted,
he says.
Auckland regional councillor Sandra Coney says event organisers,
sponsors, exhibitors and the community have all shown interest
in continuing to have a flower show at the botanic gardens.
The ARC and the Manukau council are both confident a successful
event can be staged, Ms Coney says.
"The ARC has invested significantly in the development
of a site worthy of a high profile event like a flower/garden
show and we are keen to see that site utilised.
A request for proposal is available from both the ARC and
Manukau City Council and can be downloaded from www.manukau.govt.nz
and www.arc.govt.nz.
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