Ellerslie's supreme winner's 2010 exhibit under wraps

Bush Telly, the Supreme Award winner at this year’s Ellerslie International Flower Show, will be back in 2010 with an exhibit they are keeping “top secret”.

The Christchurch-based natural history media unit of the New Zealand Ecological Restoration Network (NZERN) exhibited a rustic shed this year where the threat to New Zealand’s native biodiversity was discussed “over a cup of tea and a bit of cake”. The exhibit won Gold, the Supreme Award for Design Excellence and the overall Supreme Award.

Bush Telly Producer Mike Peters says they were “absolutely surprised” at their phenomenal success at Ellerslie but also very proud of their efforts.

“We are not necessarily going for an award at next year’s Show but our exhibit will be of the same high quality, professional standard and we promise it will be very different.”

The only details he will give away are that Bush Telly’s 2010 exhibit will be in the Starlight Marquee.

“Visitors to the exhibit will feel like they have been there before; it will appeal to all the senses and people will feel part of the exhibit.”

Mr Peters says the exhibit will be built by a number of people at different locations throughout the city.

“Only a handful of people know the design; we thought it would be fun to build anticipation and get people wondering what we are doing.”

He reassures the public there is “serious planning” going on and they can expect to be see a “more polished performance” in 2010.

Mr Peters says as with this year, the aim of the exhibit will be to raise public awareness and encourage everyone to do their bit to look after New Zealand’s native plants and animals.

During the Show, Bush Telly will film 45 live interviews with experts on various conservation topics about how to protect, maintain and restore New Zealand’s natural heritage.

“In 2010, our exhibit will provide an area for visitors to stop and listen to the interviews being filmed. These will be televised at the Show on two big screens and there will be a number of conservationists on site to talk to visitors about various aspects of conservation work and how they can become involved in helping to protect or restore an area of native habitat within their own community.”

He says it is important for Bush Telly to be part of the Ellerslie International Flower Show as it “is an important public event where everything relating to plants is celebrated”.

For further information contact

Ellerslie International Flower Show Communications Adviser