Village Showcases Taranaki Culture and Hospitality

Today (Tuesday) the Taranaki International Village began construction on Puke Ariki Landing.

The village comprises a 20 x 20 metre marquee, surrounded by fencing in wrapped Taranaki imagery, and is part of the REAL New Zealand Festival which runs during Rugby World Cup 2011.

Inside the village will be eight stalls with a mixture of cultural products from Mediterranean kebabs and Petit Paris snacks, to Maori tourism packages and locally produced New Zealand jewellery, pottery, arts and crafts and apparel.

There will also be a schedule of performances from a wide range of cultures. “We have more than 40 performances scheduled in the village so there will always be something interesting to see,” says Emere Wano, Director of Tihi Events and Conference Management.

“Being based at Puke Ariki Landing, the village will be the perfect place to chill out in the seating area with a coffee, enjoy a Mediterranean kebab and watch a unique performance such as the United States Marine Corps Band, a Namibian DJ or Latin dance.”

In addition to their performance at the Taranaki International Village, The United States Marine Corps Band, usually based in Hawaii, will be performing a celebratory Street Parade on Saturday 10 September, through the centre of New Plymouth from Pukekura Park at 11.30am to Puke Ariki Landing.

United States Marine Corps Band performs at more than 400 commitments each year from ceremonies to parades. “The band is very entertaining and we hope that the community will line the streets for this entertaining spectacle,” says Mrs Wano.

The Taranaki International Village is free to enter and is open from 9 to 10 September noon-6.00pm, 11 September 10.00am-6.00pm, 15-17 September 10.00am-6.00pm, 18 September for the Taranaki Farmers Market 9.00am-noon, 24-25 September 10.00am-4.00pm, and 26 September 10.00am-6.00pm.

The official opening is on Friday morning.