Localist party celebrates Tauranga’s local stars

Tauranga, 23 June 2014 ­ It was a night to remember at Localist’s ‘Love Local’ party on Friday in Tauranga as TV stars, local insiders, community rockstars and winners celebrated all that is great about their hometown.

Maketu’s Masterchef champions Karena and Kasey Bird were the stars of the show, lighting up the evening by treating 150 invited guests to an eight­course degustation at the Tauranga Art Gallery on Friday June 21.

The tasting plates were designed by the sisters to showcase their region’s fresh produce and seafood and each dish was expertly matched with New Zealand wine and beer from local microbrewery, Brew Craft Beer Pub.

Supported by family and close friends, including their boyfriends Patuara Biel and Horace Velese, the girls say the event held at the Tauranga Art Gallery was also a chance to celebrate their success with fellow locals and thank their region for supporting them through the competition.

Karena and Kasey extended a personal invite to their close friends from the recent top­rating TV One series ­ Masterchef contestants, Tanisha Kemp and Verena Dooblah.

The reality TV star sisters were also joined on the night by Tauranga’s own Amazing Race team Heneri Fulton and Carla Beazley, whose series will begin on TV2 shortly.

“We love everything about our hometown, which is why we still can’t imagine wanting to living anywhere other than Maketu. It’s the place we can truly relax and be ourselves,” says Kasey.

Adds Karena, “As soon as I get home, I put my baggy shorts on and head off to yum cha, wearing no make­up. It’s amazing to come from a place where everyone knows and supports you and you can just be yourself. The night was a chance to celebrate that and everything we love about Tauranga with our friends, family and other locals who love this special community just as much as we do.”

It’s why they are encouraging people to keep sharing the love on Localist to enable fellow Kiwis and visitors alike to discover Tauranga.

localist.co.nz is the word­of­mouth website that enables everyday Kiwis to share what’s great in their communities and provides a platform for local businesses ­ and those doing well ­ to shine.

Encouraging people to post personal recommendations from their region is all part of Localist’s drive to bring awareness to the global ‘Love Local’ movement that’s taking the world by storm.

“‘Love Local’ is about supporting those in your local community,” explains Localist General Manager Christina Sayers Wickstead. “It’s what Kiwis are already brilliant at. Localist simply provides the platform to make sharing the love seamless.

“Localist is the voice of the people ­ it’s about popular opinion. Everyone can have their say,” adds Sayers Wickstead. “And for those using the site to find out what to do, it’s like having that friend who is always up with the play and knows where to go, wherever you go.”

Have fun, love local!

ENDS

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