Start of 'G'DAY NZ' Australia Week

24 April 2006

Start of 'G'DAY NZ' Australia Week A Rip-Roaring Success

The launch of the inaugural G'DAY NZ Australia Week 2006 by Tourism Australia has been a resounding success.

G'DAY NZ Australia Week was officially launched by racing rivals Greg Murphy (Holden) and Craig Lowndes (Ford) at Pukekohe Raceway on Friday. Tourism Australia hosted media, trade and sponsors at the event. More than 100,000 fans packed in to Pukekohe Park Raceway over three days.

Australia through the National Geographic Lens Exhibition featuring photographs from renowned photographer Sam Abell was launched at Te Papa in Wellington yesterday. The event was co-hosted with Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, John Dauth, and the 150 attendees included Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Annette King and Marian Hobbs, members of the diplomatic community, as well as business leaders and commentators with an interest in trans-Tasman affairs. More than 800 members of the public viewed the free exhibition in the first five hours alone.

The Australia through the National Geographic Lens Exhibition is part of a series of events for Tourism Australia's inaugural G'DAY NZ Australia Week 2006 (23-29 April) that showcase the best Australia has to offer and highlight Australian food and wine, film, arts, fashion and indigenous culture.

Tonight, more than 300 guests will attend the 'Spirit of Mateship' Gala Dinner to experience the Outback in style with entertainment by the award winning Descendance Aboriginal Dance Troupe. John Campbell and Carol Hirschfeld will MC the evening and Aussie Mark Smith and Kiwi Steve Freeman will share their experience of the 'spirit of mateship' following their survival after being adrift in the South China Sea for 11 days.

Tourism Australia is the backer of G'DAY NZ Australia Week 2006 in recognition of the fact that New Zealand is an important market for the country, not only for tourism, but also trade, investment and political partnerships.

"We're delighted that G'DAY NZ Australia Week has been fully embraced in New Zealand in its first year. We've built a strong foundation for the Week to become an annual fixture to showcase the best Australia has to offer," says Vito Anzelmi, Tourism Australia's Regional Manager for New Zealand.

Throughout the week a number of other events will also take place, including the Longest Australian Lunch in New Zealand and the United Travel Australian Film Selection. The National Geographic Photographic Exhibition covering Australia's vast landscape will remain open in Wellington until 27 April before opening in Auckland at the Aotea Centre on May 8 for 7 days.

Ticket sales for the Longest Australian Lunch in New Zealand in Auckland's Viaduct are selling fast at Ticketek and over 400 people are expected to participate. Sizzling BBQ platters featuring Aussie king prawns or crocodile meat for the more adventurous will be available with some great Crown Lager beer and Lindeman premium wines to wash it down.

Movie buffs can also catch Australia on the big screen at the United Travel Australian Film Selection running from Monday 24th to Saturday 29th of April at the Newmarket Rialto cinema in 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 of April. Lost and Found is a psychological thriller starring Kiwi-born actress Rebecca Gibney.

For more information on how to get involved visit www.australiaweek.co.nz

ENDS

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