TREES AND TURRETS

HERITAGE

The Riccarton Tea House is a distinctive building; there is no other like it in Australasia.

Having a proud place as a gem on the Canterbury Plains since it was built in 1903, in the style of an Edwardian country homestead featuring romantic turrets and wrap-around veranda, this restored historic venue has all the modern facilities. Set in its own private parkland sheltered by magnificent trees and overlooking a stunning water feature, The Tea House is the perfect venue for ceremonies on the lawns, photographs under the trees, canapés and drinks on the veranda, and receptions with guests seated eating indoors at intimate round tables.

Constructed to mark the 50th anniversary of the Canterbury Jockey Club, the building was erected as a place for women to enjoy race days. This was ten years after women were given the right to vote in New Zealand, but females were still not allowed in the Stewards Stand at the time. In the 1940s, the Tea House became a dormitory for soldiers departing for WWII. In 1945, it was turned in to a makeshift hospital during the flu epidemic. Later in the 1950s and 60s, the Tea House, with its sprung wooden floor, became a popular dance hall as well as party and wedding venue.

At some stage in the 1960s, the verandas were enclosed, and the glazed doors removed to provide more internal space. The once-bustling Tea House became a quiet place. For more than 30 years the building sat and deteriorated. With the help of community trusts, passionate and skilled people, reconstruction and restoration began in the mid-2000s. Care was taken to ensure best trade practice was used and that all visible new work matched the original.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the restoration of the Tea House meant the structure was returned to its former glory. Since then, it has operated as a premium location for weddings and auspicious events for Cantabrians.

Now completely restored to its original design, it features a wide veranda and two large roof turrets, giving it a pavilion-like appearance. Complementing the exterior features are the unique tongue and groove walls. Ceremonies can be arranged outside on the lawn, where you’ll enjoy a beautiful parkland setting with a wide selection of indoor venues and outdoor areas. Riccarton Park wedding co-ordinators aim to make it easy and trouble-free – helping you bring all your dreams to reality, with professional, friendly service and an excellent reputation for versatility, exceptional food, and competitive pricing. This is truly a venue with old-world charm and steeped in history – with the most iconic story.

Other spaces on site such as The Balmerino Room and Phar Lap, both within the Club Stand, and Show Gate are available alongside The Tea House, meaning there’s multiple venues spaces for a myriad of uses.

events.riccartonpark.nz

JENNY BURTT FLORIST With an experienced team managing your wedding day, nothing is left to chance. Jenny Burtt’s inclusive approach ensures your dream flowers are realised with stunning bridal bouquets, beautiful table and room arrangements as well as a classic touch for grooms. jennyburtt.co.nz

PAPERSWAN BRIDE Launched in 2012, Paperswan Bride stocks local and international wedding dress labels, with a goal to offer brides something different from the norm. Whether you’re a bohemian babe, hippy chick or vintage goddess, channel your inner fashionista and find your perfect gown. paperswanbride.co.nz

LITTLE PAPER STORE Little Paper Store is a well established stationery boutique specialising in wedding stationery, birth announcements, and paper goods. Rachel takes pride in her unforgettable custom and semi-custom designs that are the perfect accompaniment to your life’s special celebrations. littlepaperstore.com

KINETA BOOKER WEDDING CELEBRANT Known for fun, vibrant, and beautifully crafted wedding ceremonies, Kineta Booker is a celebrant who loves to spread a little sunshine in Canterbury! Now that the registry offices have permanently closed, Kineta is also an appointed Registry Celebrant. kinetabooker.com

DYRBERG/KERN For an exceptional in-store experience, visit Dyrberg/Kern Merivale for all your special occasions and bridal jewellery requirements. Whether it’s for a wedding party, bridesmaids, or mother of the bride, they’ll have the perfect solution in their beautifully curated range. dyrbergkern.co.nz

PARTY WAREHOUSE Party Warehouse are wedding marquee specialists. They are in the business of making your wedding totally unique. Let them create an exclusive and personalised package for you with the help of their marquee wedding planner tool. Make it truly special. Make it epic! partywarehouse.co.nz

CANTERBURY JEWELLERS Canterbury Jewellers has earned a reputation over the past 38 years as a leader in handcrafted jewellery manufacturing. With an experienced and qualified team of jewellers and a new workshop, they’re ready to create anything you have your heart set on. canterburyjewellers.co.nz

KINROSS Kinross is the perfect honeymoon getaway. Relax amidst the vines and let the team take care of all the details. With an awardwinning cellar door, bistro and boutique accommodation on site, sample world-class pinot noir and toast to the future in an outdoor hot tub. kinross.nz

THE THIRSTY CARAVAN A vintage 1985 Oxford caravan lovingly transformed into a boutique pop-up bar – the ultimate accessory to add that something special! She loves a good party and is fully equipped with everything you will need to serve and impress your guests – you just sort the drinks. thethirstycaravan.co.nz

AMURI ESTATE Amuri prides itself on being a personal and tastefully styled venue in an intimate idyllic setting. It offers luxury accommodation and a wedding and events venue that overlooks the beautiful alpine basin of Hanmer Springs and the Southern Alps. It is just 90 minutes’ drive from Christchurch. amuriestate.co.nz

ILAM FLORIST From the grand and traditional to rustic, wild, and wacky, and outside the box, Jane and the team at Ilam Florist have experience in designing with an eye for detail. They bring a couple’s vision to life to create memorable floristry with individuality, no matter the budget. ilamflorist.co.nz

BALLOONING CANTERBURY Looking for something a little different and romantic for your nuptials? Ballooning Canterbury offers a marriage celebrant for intimate and private weddings, in a stunning setting high above the Canterbury Plains. It’s guaranteed to be a one-of-a-kind day. info@ballooningcanterbury.co.nz

© Marc Bendall 2019 All rights reserved.

MARC BENDALL Capturing personality and vision through conversation, Marc Bendall creates completely customised pieces from high quality diamonds, stones, and precious metals for you to treasure. Along with stunning showroom designs to choose from, their timeless bespoke rings are a specialty. marcbendall.co.nz

FREYA FLORA Specialists in the wild and romantic, lovers of the natural, and curators of beauty, Freya Flora has been ‘wild and green since ages ago’. By using local products and leaving out plastics and floral foam, Freya offers a unique, sustainable flower service for any floral requirement. freyaflora.co.nz

KENNETT CRAFTED JEWELS Crafting wedding rings for over a century, Kennett Crafted Jewels specialises in designing wedding rings that complement engagement rings and lifestyles. Choose from an extensive selection- gold, platinum, titanium, zirconium, and carbon fibre. kennett.net.nz

BRIDE TRIBE Dive into an indulgent and luxurious slumber party, specially designed for a bride and bridesmaids to enjoy a girly night of pampering together. Choose either the ‘night before’ slumber or an exclusive hens’ night with your tribe (maximum of six guests). dreamuponaparty.co.nz

CITY SCENE

Imagine the boost to our central city if an additional 200,000 hotel nights were booked in the next three to four years.

That is the likely number of hotel bookings that will be stimulated by the 67 events confirmed to-date for Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre – this equates to keeping two 300-room hotels full for almost one year.

The events will also see attendees inject a healthy dose of cash – around 40 million dollars – into the local economy as business event travellers tend to spend about twice as much as leisure visitors.

With the central location of Te Pae Christchurch, inner-city restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels are well placed to reap the rewards of those events.

The big question, of course, is how our new business events venue will be impacted by COVID-19, given that the conference and travel sectors have been some of the hardest hit by the virus.

The completion of Te Pae Christchurch has been impacted; border closures mean some lucrative international events have been postponed or cancelled, and there is worldwide uncertainty in the convention sector.

“It has become clear that beyond COVID-19 there will be pent up interest in business events and with our effective response to the virus, New Zealand is an attractive, safe travel destination,” says Te Pae Christchurch general manager Ross Steele.

“The desire to meet remains strong as people – more than ever – want that face-toface connection with their peers.”

In the short term, Te Pae Christchurch is focusing on attracting local and national events, and Australasian events for when the trans-Tasman border reopens. It takes up to three or four years to secure big events, so work is continuing with international event organisers.

Many of the events booked will showcase our local sector strengths in growth industries such as medicine and agricultural technology.

“Convention centres not only provide economic value for the cities they are based in, but also drive opportunities for social connection and knowledge sharing.”

A prime example of this is the Aotearoa New Zealand Anaesthesia Scientific Meeting, which is taking place in November 2021.

“With everything the city has faced over the past decade, our medical experts have unique frontline experience and valuable insights that their international colleagues want to hear about first-hand,” Ross Steele says.

The centre has also adapted its operations, developing new hybrid conference offerings for events where some delegates are unable to travel. “Because we are a new venue, we are fortunate to feature all the right equipment to support hybrid events.”

Te Pae Christchurch will also profile the best of our regional cuisine and beverages to the world when the first visitors arrive next year. Akaroa Salmon and Sherwood Estate Wines are already on the menu, and other local suppliers will be added shortly.

tepae.co.nz