---

Host City: Christchurch

The best city on the globe

One of the world's most beautiful cities (winning the top award in the Nations In Bloom class at the International Parks Congress Competition last year), Christchurch was also rated the world's friendliest city by Conde Nast Traveler. Although on the edge of the South Pacific, Christchurch is easy to travel to from anywhere in the world.

Christchurch encapsulates the best of what New Zealand has to offer.

Near the middle of the South Island, Christchurch's position on the east coast enables residents and visitors to enjoy sea and shore, river and lake, alpine and forest recreation in an agreeable climate. Two of the city's most loved and visited attractions are the historic Cathedral Square with its striking neo-gothic cathedral, and the nearby River Avon which meanders delightfully through the city.

Part England...

Often described as the most English city outside of England, this reputation reveals Christchurch's origins. Church of England settlers with a mission tamed, drained and carved wild swamp land on the wide Canterbury Plains to build a better version of home. Many of their neo-gothic stone public buildings still stand, now mellowed by the passing of almost 150 years, set among the many parks and gardens that were included in the plans of the city's founders.

... and part South Pacific

Christchurch is also typically a 'new world' city in an immigrant nation rapidly coming of age, that no longer feels the need to borrow primarily from a culture which originated on the other side of the world.

In this temperate climate, English architecture and lifestyle have adapted and absorbed the influence of all the South Pacific and Asian cultures that surround it.

In more modern times, one of the world's top 10 small sports stadiums, Queen Elizabeth II Park, was built in Christchurch.

Message from the Mayor of Christchurch

I'm thrilled that Christchurch has been chosen to be the venue for the Fringe Games because I think this city and the Fringe are a very good fit. It's a good fit because Christchurch is a city that is forging an international name for itself as a city that thrives on innovation and change.

Internationally, with just over 300,000 people, we may appear on the surface to be a very minor player but the accolades coming our way would tend to prove innovation is our main product. Our Christchurch City Council has been rated as one of the best run and innovative in the world.

We were the first city in the world to create a post of Children's Advocate to give a voice and vehicle for the concerns of children. We won international recognition two years ago as the World's best Garden City, yet we are also home to over half of New Zealand's cutting edge electronics and computer companies. Think of us as Silicon Valley with a superbly unspoilt natural environment and you'll have it about right.

As a city we have also positioned ourselves to package the city as a venue for international events that have weight and substance. The city has bankrolled the building of a cluster of state of the art convention and entertainment venues that ensure events such as the Fringe Games can access quality venues.

We have moved from being a gateway attraction for tourists to a drawcard in our own right.

All of which means that participants and supporters of the Fringe Games are going to find coming to Christchurch an experience of meeting a welcoming and supportive city.

I look forward to your presence at the Fringe Games.

Garry Moore

Mayor

---