It's do-or-die for the troubled Ellerslie Flower Show in Christchurch this year.
The event kicks off in the garden city tomorrow, and while entries have gardening enthusiasts excited, the new city council is wondering if it will be enough to reverse budget deficits and dwindling crowds.
This year's show has been touted as bigger and better than ever before, with organisers saying there are more major exhibition gardens than any other year in the show's 21-year history.
And they're hoping it's a selling point, as this year's show will be reviewed to consider the Ellerslie Flower Show's long-term future.
"The difficulty is that a major event like this does cost a lot of money and the reality is it brings a lot of people into the city," says organiser Dave Mee. "It's fantastic for the city and the vibrancy of the city."
Mr Mee says they've changed this year's layout so the first thing visitors will see will be the gardens, rather than marquees.
"People say we say it every time, but there certainly are more big gardens than we've ever had," he says.
The show was criticised last year as lacklustre. Losses ran at $325,000 and visitor numbers were down 10,000.
The council, which bought the show for about $3 million back in 2007, has ordered it to be re-energised this year then reviewed to see if it should continue.
"You know we have listened to what the concerns were last year, we've addressed them," says council marketing manager Richard Stokes. "Everyone who has been through already is amazed by what's here."
Internationally renowned judge Andrew Sturgeon says Ellerslie is in the top five of all the flower shows he's visited.
"There's absolutely tonnes of variety on offer, there's so much here for everybody and the general standard in all the gardens is really high," he says.
Ellerslie is big business - most competitors are professionals and the gardens take months to create, but the big seller is the work it is likely to bring entrants.
Last year's student design winner says Ellerslie boosted his career, giving him the opportunity to work alongside designers in the UK and design gardens at Hampton Court Palace. This year's Student of the Year winner hopes his win will do the same.
The show runs from tomorrow until Sunday, with the council's review due to take place shortly after.
3 News
source: newshub archive
