June Newsletter

Christchurch prepares for end of year extravaganza 

FIFA fever is mounting in Christchurch - fuelled by the outcome of the recent draw for the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, his wife, and two other Christchurch City Councillors travelled to Wellington to see the draw at first hand.

They were there to see Germany, Korea DPR, Paraguay, Japan and Brazil drawn from the hat for Christchurch games, with another three countries still to be announced on completion of qualifying competitions in their regions.

“With Germany and Korea DPR amongst the early favourites for the tournament, Christchurch is assured of some exciting play,” according to Michael Aitken, the Christchurch City Council’s General Manager of Community Services.

“Christchurch has already played host to some first class international sporting fixtures this year, and that looks certain to continue with the FIFA tournament,” Michael Aitken says.

Not only has Christchurch hosted the World Bowls Championships earlier this year, it also hosted the HSBC New Zealand PGA Championship at Clearwater Resort. Coming up soon are the 2008 World Vintage Rugby Carnival in September, The New Zealand Silver Fern Rally and the Head World Masters Squash Championships in October

It has also just been announced that Christchurch will host the 2008 World Masters Series of Indoor Cricket to be held in November 2008 as well as the 72nd New Zealand Maori Golf Championships in January 2009.

In February the city hosted its fifth Global Football Festival, with the Zimbabwe Warriors, Nepali Gorkhali, South African All Stars, Korean Tigers, The Undutchables from Holland and the Irish Rovers among 20 teams taking part. There were also teams originating from Afghanistan, Thailand, Poland, Japan, China and the Middle East. The Festival (part of the Christchurch City Council’s SummerTimes programme), was set up to support the ethnic communities of Christchurch to come together and pursue their passion for football.

“The festival helps ethnic communities, who mostly play football all-year round, to establish themselves and be more involved in the wider community,” says Michael Aitken.  “It is a great example of how recreation strengthens communities.” 

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup will come just as Christchurch is turning up the heat on sports, racing, fashion and all things agricultural in a spectacular end of year extravaganza.

The city is always buzzing and at its best during New Zealand Cup and Show week in early November. Cup and Show Week is a unique time in Christchurch when racing, fashion, food and entertainment converge to create a festival atmosphere that is high action, high energy and high stakes. 

At the same time, the nationally renowned Royal New Zealand Show brings country to town to stage a magnificent event showcasing trade displays, carnival rides, wine competitions, food and cooking demonstrations.

There will also be a range of fashion shows and events, an international rodeo, Southern Amp music event; and the cities bars and restaurants coming alive each night as the dust settles and the sun goes down.

 “Add the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to that mix and we have nothing short of an extravaganza,” says Michael Aitken. “Christchurch will definitely be the place to be from the time our first teams arrive in town in October.”