Pohutukawa Festival Planned For Coromandel

Pohutukawa Festival Planned For Coromandel

Summer is just around the corner and The Coromandel has a huge party planned to celebrate its arrival. It’s all part of the Mercury Energy Pohutukawa Festival which runs from 25 November – 11 December 2005.

The festival is a celebration of the Pohutukawa and its symbolic ties to New Zealand beach culture. For most Kiwi’s the blossoming of these trees triggers fond memories of summers spent by the beach and family bach.

Over three weekends, some of NZ’s top bands will be playing in stunning, Pohutukawa lined coastal locations in Whangamata, Thames Coast and Whitianga. Crowd pleasers Goldenhorse, The Black Seeds and Greg Johnson are among those performing and each day will be accompanied with good wine and food.

Some of the dishes to be enjoyed include fresh snapper crumbed with locally grown macadamia and “Crimson” a Pinot Noir from Ata Rangi vineyard in Martinborough. Ata Rangi has produced the wine in conjunction with Project Crimson with proceeds from the wine going towards the trust’s Pohutukawa reforestation efforts.

For art lovers there is a visual feast of Pohutukawa inspired creations at exhibitions, Art Trails and the 6th Pohutukawa Wearable Arts show.

Tourism Coromandel has once again teamed up with Mercury Energy to take the festival to a new and exciting level. Mark Carter, Mercury Energy’s General Manager Consumer Markets says, the company is proud to support an event that celebrates the natural beauty of this unique area. “The Coromandel holds special memories for thousands of New Zealand families and we hope many more are created throughout the festival.”

Many of the Coromandel’s environmental groups are involved in the festival, giving visitors the opportunity to interact with projects restoring the populations of Pohutukawa, kiwi and kauri. A dozen close up kiwi encounters will run throughout the festival. It’s a unique opportunity for many New Zealanders to see and hear Kiwi in their natural environment.

Kicking the festival off is a Comedy Debate in Coromandel town on Friday 25 November with kiwi icons Gary McCormick, Cocksy and Ewen Gilmore among those vying for the most laughs.

Over 50 fun filled family events including fun runs, swims and bike races will be taking place between 25 November and 11 December. It’s the perfect excuse to come and visit the Coromandel at a laid back, cruisy time of the year and reflect on how lucky we are to live with paradise right on our back doorstep. www.pohutukawafestival.co.nz

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