Media release: 11 July 2012

West Coast to Bring Whitebait Festival to Christchurch

It’s been labelled white gold, and for an all-too short annual season trades on the open market with a speculative fever all of its own. Praised for its taste and spawning legions of fans, each with their own definitive means of preparation, it is considered a uniquely Kiwi delicacy – one of the few as yet unclaimed by Australia.

And for one day in October, the people of Canterbury and aficionados from around the country will have their chance to celebrate all things whitebait at the inaugural Great West Coast Whitebait Festival, to be held from 10am – 5.30pm on Saturday 20 October 2012 at Cranmer Square in Christchurch.

Put together by the team behind the iconic Wildfoods Festival, the Great West Coast Whitebait Festival promises the same quirky style of down-to-earth entertainment and food-focused fun, built around the legendary West Coast whitebait.

Westland District Council marketing manager Sonya Matthews says the festival is something the team has been cooking up for a while, as a way of bringing a distinctly West Coast flavour to new audiences.

“The Great West Coast Whitebait Festival is a chance for Cantabrians, many of whom are loyal fans of the Wildfoods Festival, to taste, see and enjoy the very best of the Coast right here in their own backyard,” says Sonya Matthews.

“With very generous support from Westland District Council and the Christchurch City Council, we’ve been able to build the foundation of what we believe will become a real highlight of the Canterbury festival calendar.”

Ms Matthews says that although the tiny silvery fish is very much the star of the show – and will be available in abundance, with plans for at least 9,000 patties (or 300 kgs in Coast-speak) to be served up to a hungry audience – the Great West Coast Whitebait Festival will also showcase the many experiences and stories that have given West Coast whitebait an almost mythical status.

“The Great West Coast Whitebait Festival will have a little bit of something for everyone, from more bait cooked in more styles than you can imagine, to the fiercely contested Great Bait Debate; to gourmet nosh-ups with a wild flavour, an iconic photographic essay and much, much more,” says Sonya Matthews.

“It will be a fantastic day out for all the family, with not just food but plenty of West Coast inspired entertainment and hospitality, as well as a chance for us to showcase all the attractions of the Coast – including the Wildfoods Festival – to our favourite audience.”

Sonya Matthews says the organisers are now talking to a range of stallholders, entertainers, sponsors and supporters, with opportunities for anyone from either side of the Southern Alps inspired by the West Coast whitebait theme.

“Tickets to the Great West Coast Whitebait Festival are on sale from today for the Labour Weekend event, and we advise whitebait fans – or anyone looking for a great day’s entertainment – to get in early, before the run starts!”

To recognise the generous hospitality extended by the people of Canterbury, the Festival organisers plan to donate the proceeds of the onsite auctions to the ‘Rebuild Christchurch’ fund.

Tickets to the Great West Coast Whitebait Festival are on sale from www.whitebaitfest.co.nz.

Early bird ticket: $27 (limited to first 1,000 sold)
Standard ticket: $37 (up until 19 October 2012)
Gate sale ticket: $47 (on the day – assuming there are any left)
Children (13-17 yrs): $10
Children under 12: free

Community groups and schools are also encouraged to visit www.whitebaitfest.co.nz for fundraising opportunities.

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