Flower show goes but Council pledges to support future opportunities

The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) is disappointed to see the Ellerslie International Flower Show leave the Auckland region but has pledged to work with local councils to investigate future event opportunities.

ARC Chairman Michael Lee says it is disappointing to see the popular annual horticultural event leave the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

“While it is sad that the Ellerslie International Flower Show Ltd has taken itself off to Christchurch, the ARC’s Auckland Botanic Gardens will remain a popular venue all year round - not just for one week.

“We are also well aware that Auckland has the biggest market and by far the largest share of resources and expertise within the landscaping and gardening industry and will be actively investigating a replacement Auckland-based flower show.

“The Gardens are located relatively handy to Auckland International Airport which enhances their international and domestic visitor appeal. We are confident that there is a lot of interest out there within the industry and from the public for this,” he says.

The Auckland Regional Council (ARC), which manages the Auckland Botanic Gardens on behalf of the people of the region, has hosted the show since 1998 when it outgrew the Ellerslie Racecourse.

ARC General Manager of Parks Lance Vervoort says the 2007 Ellerslie International Flower Show is the tenth to be held at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

“The Auckland Botanic Gardens provides a custom made site and site maintenance expertise. In the lead up to the show the site is prepared for the show’s 60,000 plus visitors and following the show Gardens staff begin a site rehabilitation programme,” he says.

Each year over one million people visit the Auckland Botanic Gardens.