A celebration of the enduring friendship between New Zealand and France for Christchurch

The Hon Murray McCully, Minister Foreign Affairs and Minister for the Rugby World Cup, will attend the at The Cloud's NZ2011 Business Lounge at Queen's Wharf in Auckland on 25 September. He will be joined by the French Ambassador to New Zealand, H.E. Mr Francis Etienne. The venue will provide the perfect setting for a celebration of the special relationship shared by New Zealand and France, particularly the bond shared through their mutual passion for Rugby, fine wines and New Zealand cuisine.

Senior representatives from Château Margaux, the Chief Winemaker from Brancott Estate and Managing Director of Pernod Ricard New Zealand will also be attending the dinner.

The French, whose rugby team may well have been playing its quarter-final in Christchurch were it not for the devastating earthquake, wish to do all they can to assist the people of Canterbury. "The pain and shock experienced by the people of Canterbury and New Zealand was felt around the world, including France," says Mr Etienne. "You have the full solidarity of the French State and its people."

To show their support on this occasion, a special charity auction will be arranged at the dinner with all proceeds to the Prime Minster’s Christchurch Recovery Fund. Items include a jeroboam (5 litre bottle) of 1995 Château Margaux First Growth wine and an autographed unique painting. Brancott Estate has given a barrique of Brancott Estate Letter Series Terraces Pinot Noir 2011. A barrique is equivalent to 300 bottles of wine - still in the barrel – and these will be released to the buyer when bottled.

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