Eden Project Co-Founder to speak in Christchurch
Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the international tourism attraction The Eden Project in Cornwall and the CEO David Harland,
are visiting Christchurch next week to support efforts to develop a New Zealand Eden in the Red Zone.
Brought to Christchurch by the Water for Life Trust, Sir Tim and Harland will spend a week working with the Trust to
assist in the concept development of the proposed New Zealand Eden.
Themed on the concept - From the Mountains to the Sea (Ki Uta Ki Tai) – the NZ Eden will tell the story of water through
nature, culture and science. Its proposed location is in the Avonside Loop in the Red Zone which is currently owned by
the New Zealand Government.
Martin Hadlee, chairman of the Water for Life Trust, said that the vision is to turn the Avonside Loop into an
international tourist attraction where visitors will travel ‘from the mountains to the sea’ experiencing New Zealand’s
unique environment.
“The Eden Project in the United Kingdom transformed a disused china clay pit into one of the top tourist attractions in
England. The pit now houses a vibrant educational facility that hosts a wide range of events and courses with a strong
environmental focus. We would like to replicate that in Christchurch,” he said.
Sir Tim is giving a free public seminar on Friday 3 July where he will share the story of the Eden Project and discuss
the impact it has had on Cornwall and the people who live there. The Water for Life Trust will also unveil their
concepts and artist impressions of their vision for Eden in New Zealand.
Tickets for the free seminar can be booked on Eventbrite. http://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/eden-in-new-zealand-from-the-mountains-to-the-sea-tickets-17436801944?aff=es2
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