Rotorua 'ideal' for Ellerslie Flower Show

Originally posted at: http://www.themud.co.nz/#!in-a-city/c11kw

Mike Smith

10 June 2013

Rotorua is an ideal venue to take on the Ellerslie Flower Show after the popular event has been dropped by earthquake hit Christchurch.

The Mud approached Elliot Pollard, the Rotorua businessman who has just stood down after 12 years as chair of Keep Rotorua Beautiful, for his comments regarding the possibilities around hosting the flower show here.

“It would be exciting and not outside the realms of possibilities,” said Elliot. He said obtaining and staging the Ellerslie Flower Show would require a combination of parties to come together – Keep Rotorua Beautiful (KRB), the Rotorua District Council and the newly formed Inner City Focus group which aims to rejuvenate the city centre.

Rotorua has been awarded the most beautiful city in New Zealand award for six of the past 12 years, with the combination of the KRB and the council working closely together along with the support of the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust (Rotorua Trust).

Elliot – who said the possibility of the Ellerslie Flower Show coming to Rotorua was “quite an exciting idea” – is due to have an official farewell with a special function at the council this coming Friday (13 June 2014) at 12 years in the role.

KRB works closely with the council’s nursery operation, which is itself going through change as part Castlecorp’s transition to a council controlled organisation (CCOs).

Elliot said he had no concerns about the nursery’s future role in KRB or other projects, as it already sells plants throughout New Zealand, including to other local bodies.

He said Rotorua as a city would be able to cope with the big influx of visitors for the Ellerslie Flower Show.

“The idea would be to have this magnificent event here and to make money along the way.”
Originally sited at the Ellerslie Racecourse, the show ended up in Christchurch, where the Christchurch City Council purchased the name and services for NZ$3 million.

“When it went to Christchurch, it was as powerful a brand, because it is an Auckland brand. It’s a bit like the Chiefs going to Taranaki.”

Rotorua does have strong links to Auckland, being a favourite destination for many people from New Zealand’s largest city. In addition, Rotorua is officially part of the Auckland Anniversary Holiday Weekend.

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