Edgecumbe is in for a boost, with Emirates Team New Zealand bringing the America’s Cup to town during the upcoming September school holidays. This once-in-a-lifetime event has been arranged to allow local businesses affected by the April floods to showcase their products and services and spread the news that Edgecumbe is back in business.
Emirates Team New Zealand representatives are bringing the “Auld Mug” to a special community event to be held on Monday, 9 October from 12 midday until 2 pm. Local businesses are invited to make the most of the crowds by hosting stalls, free of charge, at the Riverslea Park event venue.
The event programme will see Emirates Team New Zealand and the Cup welcomed onto the Rata Street Park, first by local iwi and Deputy Mayor Judy Turner, followed by local business and District Recovery Team representatives. A brief question and answer session will be followed by an opportunity for people to get their photo taken with the Cup, before the Team departs at 2 pm.
Whakatāne District Council Tourism and Events Advisor, Nicola Burgess, says the event is a locally-led initiative. “We are very lucky to have people in the local business community who came up with the idea and put it out there. When it was brought to their attention, Emirates Team New Zealand generously agreed to create this unique opportunity for the Edgecumbe community, and the Council is very happy to help make it happen.”
The America’s Cup visit is expected to boost morale for the small township, which was impacted by massive flooding when the Rangitāiki River breached its stopbanks on 6 April this year, causing a local Civil Defence State of Emergency and the complete evacuation of the township. Some 300 homes and a number of businesses and surrounding rural properties sustained significant flood damage.
Edgecumbe businesses that would like to book a stall space — on a first-in, first-served basis — are invited to contact Michelle Fox-Bishop on 07 306 2030 or michelle.fox-bishop@whakatane.govt.nz for further information.