The annual Lantern Celebration walk up the Centre of New Zealand has been cancelled, due to safety issues following this week’s floods, plus the threat of more rain.

Nelson City Council festivals producer Sophie Kelly said while it was a great pity to cancel the popular event, there really was no choice

“The performers have so many other commitments at this time of year that we can’t postpone this event – we just have to cancel it if it can’t go ahead as planned,” she said. “With all the slips on the eastern hillside, the state of the track and the wetness of the Botanics playing field it just wouldn’t be at all sensible to have crowds of people gathering – it would also just add to the pressure that emergency services and council staff are under right now.”

The Lantern Celebration this year was to include the opening of the Kim Merry gateway, two large totems that will be placed at the entrance of the Centre of New Zealand walkway.

Ms Kelly said the two large beams from the old Arahura rail bridge near Hokitika had not been installed yet, because of the wet weather.

“We’ll now plan a fitting opening ceremony for the gateway in the New Year,” she said. “Kim holds such a place in the heart of Nelsonians for all the work he did to make this a more fun place to live – I’m sure we’ll be able to come up with something that will reflect that spirit.”

The Lantern Celebration is part of Summer in Nelson, presented by the Nelson City Council as a celebration for locals and an attraction for visitors. There are plenty more events still to come - the next one is the Trafalgar Square Countdown in the city centre on New Year’s Eve.

Pick up a programme or visit nelsonfestivals.co.nz

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