Centre of New Zealand to become Centre Stage – Have your say.
Nelson promoter and business consultant, Stu Allan, believes the time is right for Nelson, the sunshine capital and
geographical centre of New Zealand, to take centre stage. He has garnered support from private investors, numerous
business luminaries and political leaders, in his plan to promote Nelson as New Zealand’s premier outdoor concert
destination.
Stu Allan’s aim is to combine international concerts with a distinctively Nelson food and beverage festival, he says,
“We have a burgeoning boutique foods and drinks industry in the Nelson/Tasman region, offering a broad range of unique
products, it makes sense to showcase these to national and international visitors.” He has spent the past year
developing his proposal, which has already received support from Nelson City and Tasman District councils, Hon. Dr. Nick
Smith (MP for Nelson), the Economic Development Agency and Nelson Tasman Tourism, together with many other public
figures and business leaders.
Nelson Mayor, Rachel Reese affirms that a new world-class music festival that showcases the region would be a welcome
addition to the city’s growing assemblage of events. She says, “Nelson has a proven track record of successfully hosting
major events, attracting visitors from around New Zealand and the World.” She continues, “We have an amazing setting and
venues that can successfully deliver events, from International Sporting fixtures such as the Cricket World Cup and
Super 15 Rugby matches through to our ever popular Arts Festival and the spectacular Opera in the Park.”
Allan aims to create an iconic annual event that becomes a pilgrimage. He says, “New Zealanders and overseas tourists
already want to come to Nelson. It’s the best little city in New Zealand and our wine, fruit and seafood is as
unforgettable as our spectacular scenery”, he continued, “With the calibre of international artists we aim to attract;
I’m talking about artists we grew up with; Annie Lennox, Mark Knopfler, Bryan Adams, Jackson Browne, Crosby Stills & Nash, Peter Gabriel, Van Morrison, Bryan Ferry, Elvis Costello, Simply Red and the like, we’re giving people another
great reason to visit more often.”
During Stu Allan’s discussions with promoters and agents, throughout New Zealand and Australia, there has been one
common denominator; the belief that Nelson is one of the few locations in New Zealand perfect for such a festival.
The first all-day event is envisaged for early 2016 and wider community research will help shape the overall flavour.
“We want to know which International acts people would like to travel to Nelson to see,” Stu Allan says, “So I am asking
people to take a few minutes to fill out a short online survey. There’s a great prize up for grabs including tickets to
the first concert.” The survey is on the website: www.showcasenelson.co.nz.
ENDS