Thursday 6 July

Welcome to Christchurch – a city to explore, where urban regeneration and heritage thrive.  There is plenty to see and do in the CBD to name a few catch a tram around the CBD, punt the Avon river, check out the inner city architecture or relax in many of the boutique cafes.

Our Partners programme starts from Te Pae Convention Centre and we make our way to Mt Cavendish to board the Gondola to see a stunning panoramic view of the city, Lyttelton Harbour and beyond. Gaze at the snow-capped Southern Alps, sprawling Canterbury Plains and the sparkling waters of Pegasus Bay and the Pacific Ocean.  Whilst we are here jump on the Canterbury and Christchurch Discovery ride!

Our journey then takes us out to the historical French settlement of Akaroa, one of NZ’s first European Settlements.  There is so much to see and do in Akaroa – we have time to try some of the local foods before heading to a lunch with entertainment on the beachfront.

At the end of our day we return to Te Pae to join up with the delegates for the Real Steel Hard Rock Happy Hour.  The evening is yours to enjoy.

Akaroa:
Well before Captain Cook set his sights on Akaroa Harbour in the 1770s, Ngāi Tahu Māori had already established a vibrant and thriving way of life amongst the beauty of two extinct volcanoes.

In 1840, Akaroa became New Zealand’s only township to be established by French settlers becoming the region’s first substantial European settlement. The area became well known as a safe haven for early whalers and sealers braving the southern oceans beyond its headlands.

Small in scale, Akaroa is nestled at the edge of the harbour, protected by steep hills, the remnants of a volcanic crater. The distinctive character of Akaroa village is enhanced by the large number of well preserved colonial buildings, in the town centre, the historic French cemetery and the French street names and French style, that runs throughout this unique seaside town.