Ellerslie Flower Show back on track, say organisers

Ellerslie Flower Show organisers today said the annual exhibition was firmly back on track after an agreement between its new owner and Auckland Regional Council.

SMC Consortium, which bought the show from the Rotary Club of Auckland, and the council said it had agreed licence terms over the Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens site in Manurewa.

The venue has been home to the show since it moved there from Ellerslie in 1998.

SMC Consortium director Dave Mee said his organisation was committed to the Botanic Gardens for the long term.

He said the event, to be held this year in November, would be run by a charitable trust and would provide returns to the community.

The show, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, had been in doubt after Rotary put it up for sale last month, citing the withdrawal of a major sponsor.

- NZPA