Te Puke highway celebrated with song contest

The Te Puke Economic Development Group have launched the Te Puke Highway Song
Contest.

Te Puke Economic Development Group spokesman Mark Boyle said the contest, being advertised internationally, was a "terrific way to acknowledge the
recent naming of the highway".

"It is also a celebration of a unique part of New Zealand, renowned for growing goodness and a broad range of achievements on the international stage."

The contest is open to everyone and all musical genres.

The song must include the lyrics 'Te Puke Highway' and 'Te Puke Goodness Grows Here' as a chorus or in several verses.

The winner will be announced on August 28 with the winning song to be performed at 6pm
at the Te Puke Amphitheatre in Jubilee Park.

The winner will receive an expenses paid trip to the USA for a tour of Route 66.

Mr Boyle expected entries from throughout New Zealand and other parts of the world.

"Te Puke people are high international achievers and live globally. The pride in being able to write a Te Puke Highway specific song will draw a high level of interest I am sure.

"Te Puke is a proud community and having its own song is a novel way of growing awareness of where we are and what we do," he said.

Entry forms can be downloaded from www.tepuke.co.nz.