(08 Sep 2010) Christchurch’s tourism community is working together to make sure guests are well looked after as the city recovers slowly from a major earthquake which hit on Saturday morning.

No other areas of New Zealand or the South Island are affected by the earthquake.

Christchurch International Airport, car hire and campervan companies are all up and running. Train and road routes in and out of the city are open and services running.

Areas around central Christchurch including Hanmer Springs, Akaroa, Kaikoura and the local ski fields are unaffected, as is much of the Canterbury region.

Tourism services
New Zealand’s high levels of earthquake preparedness and strong infrastructure had seen essential services quickly restored to most of the affected area, Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler said.

“Most tourism operators in the Christchurch region are open, but visitors are advised to contact their travel agents or accommodation providers before arriving in the city,” Bowler said.

Those transiting through Christchurch to other regions will be unaffected.

Non-essential travel
As Christchurch city settles back to normal life, Civil Defence has recommended that to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on infrastructure, non-essential travel to the city over the coming week should be postponed.

Travellers who have bookings for travel to Christchurch and Canterbury are advised to keep their bookings, and maintain regular contact with their travel providers for the latest updates.

Daily updates provided by Christchurch and Canterbury tourism operators are available at http://www.christchurchnz.com/ or visitors can call 0800 423 783.

Official earthquake updates:

• www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz
• www.civildefence.govt.nz/memwebsite.nsf

Background: Christchurch earthquake

On Saturday, 4 September, at 4.35am (NZ time), Christchurch (population: 340,000) was hit by a strong earthquake – the biggest in New Zealand since 1931.

There were no fatalities, and only two serious injuries were reported. However, there has been wide spread damage to buildings and infrastructure.

A state of emergency will remain in place until midday Wednesday, 15 September in the interest of public safety. This allows for buildings and other infrastructure to be assessed.

New Zealand’s high level of earthquake preparedness and strong infrastructure have seen essential services quickly restored to most of the affected area.

Variety the spice of NZ spring festival: Billed as the country’s biggest spring festival, New Zealand Cup and Show week takes the prize for diversity with a programme featuring everything from rural life, racing and rodeo to fashion, theatre and dancing.

Held in the South Island city of Christchurch from 7 – 14 November, the festival gets underway with a million-dollar event at the region’s well known racing venue, Riccarton Park.

The $1 Million Magic NZ 2000 Guineas Day attracts Australasia’s best three-year-old horses for the key race of the day, while off the field punters enjoy a parade of top fashion, live music and gourmet dining.

Racing and fashion
There will be six major race meetings throughout the week, including New Zealand Cup trophies for all racing codes.

The Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup on 10 November promises to draw large crowds to Addington Raceway, and the annual fashion competitions – Best Dressed Man and Lady at the Races (Addington Raceway) and Fashions in the Field (Riccarton Park) – will be hotly contested.

As part of show week, the Canterbury A & P Association will hold its 79th Royal New Zealand Show from 13 -15 November, with crowds of more than 120,000 expected.

The traditional event is New Zealand’s largest agricultural and pastoral show where livestock, machinery, trade exhibits, live entertainment, gourmet produce and cooking demonstrations provide a fascinating insight into rural New Zealand life.

Show entertainment
A show highlight on 7 November sees legendary broadcaster Michael Parkinson making his first New Zealand appearance for a one-off show at Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal.

On 12 November top New Zealand fashion designers will show their latest collections at Style Christchurch 2009 – which this year has an aviation theme. Labels represented include Zambesi, Nom*D, Sakaguchi, Stitch Ministry, Aduki, Anna Stretton and Emma Ford.

On the same day, the South Island’s biggest multi-stage music festival Southern Amp offers a line-up of New Zealand and international acts who have pledged to support the Samoa Tsunami Appeal in partnership with Oxfam New Zealand.

New Zealand Cup and Show Week will finish with an International Rodeo at Westpac Arena on 14 November, with competitors from Australia, USA, Canada, Brazil and Mexico challenging Kiwi riders.
Web: http://www.nzcupandshow.co.nz/

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More travel information on Christchurch …
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