Media Release for Immediate use 16 December 2008

Meridian Lights Up Central Wellington

New Zealand’s largest state-owned renewable electricity generator, Meridian, is putting its power behind Wellington’s spectacular Cuba St Carnival.

The Cuba St Carnival, now in its 10th year, celebrates the distinctive culture of Wellington’s much loved street and attracts crowds of well over 100,000 people each year.

Wellington’s Cuba St Carnival is New Zealand’s largest street festival. Thanks to the support of sponsors such as Meridian, it continues to be a free event.

Meridian Sponsorship Manager Mel Seyfort says, “We are really excited to be involved with Cuba St Carnival. Although it’s just 10 years old, the carnival has already become an iconic Wellington event - celebrating the capital’s truly vibrant culture. Meridian is proud to be part of the Wellington community, so joining in the carnival fun just made sense to us,” she says.

“This marks the start of some real celebrations for Meridian and the Wellington community, as the capital’s wind farm West Wind comes on line later this year – this is a great kick start to some great Wellington celebrations,” she added.

Wellington people really get in behind this event, which transforms inner-city Wellington into an urban explosion of music, markets, performance and the rhythm of the streets.

“The Carnival’s use of creativity and spontaneity provides a real spectacle for the crowds, who can really get involved in the carnival spirit,” she says.

“I know our team is certainly looking forward to having a ‘hands on’ involvement with this event,” she added.

Meridian will sponsor the Meridian Illuminated Night Parade, a highlight for many of the carnival.

Cuba St Carnival Artistic Director Chris Morley-Hall says the relationship with Meridian is perfect.

“The Illuminated Night Parade provides a kilometre of sparkling, lively, energised, enthusiastic, and vivacious entertainment . We couldn’t imagine a better fit for this sponsorship than with Meridian,” he says.

The award-winning Meridian Illuminated Night Parade includes floats and performers from all over New Zealand.

The Parade follows a route through Courtenay Place and up into Taranaki Street, encompassing the very heart of Wellington’s entertainment and restaurant district.

Each year more and more businesses and community groups participate in the parade, which continues to attract tens of thousands of amazed visitors.

The Cuba Street Carnival will be held on 21 February 2009.

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