"G'DAY NZ" comes to Auckland

3 April 2006
For immediate release

“G’DAY NZ” comes to Auckland, So where the bloody hell are you?

Following hot on the heels of its provocative branding campaign, Tourism Australia is launching the inaugural G’DAY NZ Australia Week 2006, 23 – 29 April. The series of events will showcase the best Australia has to offer and highlight Australian food and wine, film, arts, fashion and indigenous culture.

“G’DAY NZ is a celebration of the spirit of mateship between Kiwis and Aussies. It’s a week to celebrate the things that Australia and New Zealand share in common, as well as recognising those things that set us apart,” says Vito Anzelmi, Tourism Australia’s Regional Manager for New Zealand.

Throughout the week a number of events will be happening, such as a Gala Dinner for trans-Tasman corporates, the Longest Australian Lunch in New Zealand, the United Travel Australian Film Selection and keen travellers may like to take in the National Geographic Photographic Exhibition covering Australia’s vast landscape.

On Friday 28th April, Auckland’s Viaduct will be the venue for the Longest Australian Lunch in New Zealand. For those keen on Australian high-end food, wine and beer, this BBQ inspired food festival will offer taste sensations from crocodile meat to long-time favourite Aussie king prawns. MC Tony Veitch will guide diners through a uniquely Australian experience with entertainment by the award winning Aboriginal Dance Troupe - Descendance.

Movie buffs can also catch Australia on film at the United Travel Australian Film Selection running form Monday 24th to Sunday 30th of April at the Rialto Cinemas in Newmarket, Auckland. A number of popular and significant films will be on show such as Rabbit Proof Fence and Gallipoli, narrated by Sam Neil.

The premier of Lost and Found will also be a part of the United Travel Australian Film Selection with the cast and crew coming over for a star-studded red carpet premier on Sunday 30th April. Lost and Found is a psychological thriller starring Kiwi-born actress Rebecca Gibney.

Australia will also be on show through the stunning National Geographic Photographic Exhibition where visitors can see an astonishing photographic journey through Australia captured by the magazine’s photographer Sam Abell.

This free exhibition will run in both Wellington and Auckland. Starting in Wellington at Te Papa from Sunday 23rd to Thursday 27th April and arriving in Auckland at the Aotea Centre from Monday 8th to Monday 15th May.

A number of business events will also take place during G’DAY NZ Australia Week, such as the Spirit of Mateship Gala Dinner to be held on Monday 24th of April at the Event Pavilion in Auckland. At this Gala Dinner trans-Tasman businesses will celebrate the camaraderie and rivalry of the two counties, while experiencing the Outback in style.

MC’s Carol Hirshfeld and John Campbell will guide guests through the history of the spirit of mateship between Australia and New Zealand mixed, with Australian entertainment and paying tribute to two very special guest speakers. For the first time since their ordeal, Kiwi Steve Freeman and Aussie Mark Smith will come together to share their courageous story of how they survived 11 days stranded at sea with no food or water.

For more information on any of these events and how to purchase tickets, visit www.australiaweek.co.nz

ENDS

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