MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 4 December, 2012

Telecom Tree Lights up Wellington

Free family entertainment in Waitangi Park this Saturday night

Telecom New Zealand is once again lighting up Wellington’s waterfront, with its 85-foot high Christmas Tree launching at a special family event this Friday 7 December in Waitangi Park.

Entertainment will begin at 7pm, with Kiwi singer-song writers Lisa Crawley and Massad treating the crowd to some home-grown music from around 8.15pm, and the lighting of the tree taking place at around 9pm.

Telecom Chief Executive for Retail Chris Quin says that the Telecom Tree is always a big attraction for Wellingtonians - who are renowned for supporting local events in large numbers no matter what the weather – and he expects this year will be no different.

“Wellingtonians wondering what to do next after the excitement of the Hobbit premiere should look no further. What better way to start the wind-down to Christmas then by bringing the family along to Waitangi Park, enjoying some free entertainment and watching as the 375,000 lights shoot up the Telecom Christmas Tree for the first time this year?

“The event will be going ahead rain or shine and so we invite Wellington to come along to celebrate the start of the Christmas season and the start of what we hope will turn into a long, hot summer!”

Mr Quin said that a light show will run on the Tree from dusk till dawn every night until Boxing Day, and Telecom will once again be offering Wellingtonians the opportunity to design their own lighting display via the Telecom Tree website http://www.telecomtree.co.nz/.

“With the Capital City’s global reputation for creativity, we expect this is going to be very popular in Wellington. Simply go to the website and follow the step-by-step instructions – you can choose the colour and pattern of the lighting display you want on the tree. You can also choose when you want your display to “play” on the tree, so that you can make sure you are there to see it.”

To help share the spirit of Christmas, Telecom is encouraging visitors to the Tree to bring Christmas presents for children in need, and place them in specially marked areas right by the tree. The gifts will be distributed by the Telecom Foundation to the Wellington City Mission and Just for Kids at the Wellington Children’s Hospital.

Children (and adults!) who want to tell Santa their Christmas wishes can call the Telecom Santaline for free from special phone boxes at the base of the Tree. Or if they prefer to wait until they get home, they can contact Santa via Telecom on 0800 222 222 every day until Christmas.

What: Lighting of the Telecom Christmas Tree

Where: Waitangi Park, Wellington Waterfront

When: Friday 7 December

7.00pm – Entertainment begins

9.00pm - Lighting ceremony takes place

Info: http://www.telecomtree.co.nz/

ENDS

© Scoop Media