Chance to prove Cleese wrong on Palmerston Nth

Don't say "Palmerston North" to John Cleese. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Desperate to prove John Cleese wrong after he described Palmerston North as boring, the deputy mayor is offering two couples from either side of the Tasman the chance to tour the city, and then rate their experience.

During his recent trip to New Zealand with his My Life, Time and Current Medical Problems tour, English comedian Cleese heaped praise on all cities he encountered except Palmerston North.

In a recorded podcast on his website www.thejohncleese.com (link below), the comedian was scathing about Palmerston North.

Cleese called the city "the suicide capital of New Zealand" and said "if you wish to kill yourself but lack the courage to, I think a visit to Palmerston North will do the trick".

"We stayed in a little motel, the weather was grotty, the theatre was a nasty shape and the audience was very strange to play to."

Cleese said the audience laughed in all the wrong places and he had a "thoroughly bloody miserable time".

So Palmerston North Deputy Mayor John Hornblow hatched a plan to showcase the city as a tourist mecca.

The "Passionate about Palmerston North" competition is open to New Zealanders and Australians, who have to write up to 20 words on why they would like to visit the city.

The winners - a pair from each country - will then receive an all-expenses paid trip to Palmerston North and get to choose any of the top five tourist activities the city has to offer.

Mr Hornblow said activities might include jetboating along the Manawatu River, a stroll through the world-class rose gardens, driving a circuit of the Manfeild racetrack, and listening to top academics at Massey University.

"They will have access to virtually anything they want," Mr Hornblow said.

After the weekend, the four will rate their Manawatu experience.

"If they think we're grotty and boring then we'll take it on the chin. If they say it's not, that's up to them - we won't be altering what they say."

Mr Hornblow said it was a "good, fun way" to say to Cleese they heard what he had to say.

"But we wanted the opportunity for people to respond."

Mr Hornblow said the competition was also open to Cleese and he would like nothing more than to "put a smile on his [Cleese's] face".

The competition closes on March 31 and entry forms can be found on the link below.

TOP 5
Palmerston North's proposed top tourist drawcards

* Jetboating along the Manawatu River.

* Strolling through world-class rose gardens.

* Driving a circuit of the Manfeild racetrack.

* Listening to top academics at Massey University.

* Not yet decided

- NZPA