Kite Festival Booklet 1995

A SKY RICH WITH KITES,

the earth rich with friends

1995 WORLD KITE FESTIVAL: NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND

March 9, 10, 11, 12 of 1995

Colour, movement, crowds, energy, action …

The 1995 World Kite Festival is not a brown paper and string affair… you’ll see that from the following pages …

It’s going to be one of the most enthralling and entertaining events to be held in New Zealand during 1995 … we invite you to share in the excitement.

New Zealand 1995 World Kite Festival

Cover quote: Simon Freiden, “Kitelines” magazine Summer 1990 on the 1990 Festival.

The Festival

This spectacular event will be staged at Anderson Park, Napier on March 9, 10, 11 and 12 1995. Kites of every shape and size will fly, ranging from the beautiful to the bizarre. Many will be making their international debut, and there will be an action-packed programme of competitive, aerobatic and recreational kite flying.

Over the four days, some 70,000 spectators will make this one of the biggest events on the New Zealand outdoor calendar.

The History

In 1990, New Zealand’s first and only International Kite Festival won numerous accolades, not least of all, the 1990 Tourism Award for the Best Festival in New Zealand (no mean feat considering that during New Zealand’s 150 Celebration year there were a record number of festivals held).

Some 120 of the world’s best Kite Makers and Fliers from 14 countries voted it the best-ever organised festival.

The internationals were joined by a 200-strong New Zealand contingent and their collective aerial kaleidoscope of flying creations attracted 50,000 plus spectators over the four day festival.

We know there will be even more enthusiastic Kite Fliers, excited spectators and enthralling creations present for the 1995 festival.

The Location

Hawke’s Bay – long sunny summer days, clear blue skies, temperatures in the mid-20’s confidently predicted.

Napier – a coastal city ideally fanned by South Pacific Ocean breezes.

Anderson Park – a 36 hectare idyllic reserve with unobstructed expansive green spaces, shady tree enclaves, and easily accessed by the people of Hawke’s Bay and the rest of New Zealand.

Described by one of the world’s foremost Kite Makers, New Zealand’s Peter Lynn as “one of the best” flying fields in the world.

During the festival, Anderson Park will be transformed into an international village. Marquees, hospitality tents and food stalls will decorate the grounds while the kites adorn the skies.

Anderson Park, Napier, Hawke’s Bay
March 9, 10, 11, 12 of 1995

The Participants

Zany, flamboyant, creative extroverts … that’s how you could describe the majority of the international Kite Fliers who are clamouring to register.

And, the New Zealanders aren’t far behind in enthusiasm for their sport and this festival.

We’ve planned for 400 registrants from all four corners – word on the world kite line is there’s likely to be 600 winging their way to Hawke’s Bay.

But it’s not just the Kiting fraternity that are eagerly awaiting March ‘95. The public from near and far are looking forward to the repeat of an immensely popular free Event.

“Kiting is like laughter and music, it is an international language which everyone understands”

The Fun

The 1995 World Kite Festival will be four jam-packed days of fun …

Highlights – expanded in the coming pages include

The World’s Largest Kite
The Aquarium in the Sky
The inaugural New Zealand Open Kite Buggy
Daredevil Kite Aerobatic and Stunt Flying
A Schools’ Day

The World’s Largest Kite – all 5600 square feet

Flying for the first time in Australasian skies, this 5600 square foot monster will fly each day of the festival.

Of Dutch design and manufacture it’s the size of five average New Zealand homes and takes a team of 10 professional fliers plus a band of helpers to launch and fly.

An awesome spectacle dominating the skies over Napier – a real crowd-puller.

The Aquarium in the Sky

Sea creatures of every shape, size and imagination will take to the air and dance to music during this spectacular pageant.

This oceanic inspiration borrowed from Damp, Germany will gain a Kiwi distinction when we break the world record for the most giant octopuses flying at one time.

Kite Buggy racing

Only the most daring will rise to the challenge of competing in the first NZ Open Kite Buggy Championship.

An idea refined by New Zealand Kite Maker extraordinaire, Peter Lynn, Kite bugging is now a fast-growing sport in its own right.

Kite propelled buggies reach speeds of 60 – 80 km/h although it’s generally tactical skills and dexterity that determines the eventual winner.

The Inaugural Championship is open to racers worldwide and is being organised by the New Zealand Kitefliers Association.

Daredevil kite flying

Dogfighting kites divebombing spectators will be part of the stunning stunt displays being put on by the World’s best aerobatic kite teams.

Kids’ capers

Thousands of school kids from throughout Hawke’s Bay will be guests of honour on Friday March 10.

In a day aimed to make their spirits and imaginations soar, the children will get to watch and fly some amazing creatures.

Plus they’ll have the chance to fly their own creations with friendly advice from experts.

1990 Hawke’s Bay Schools kite. Each decorated square was contributed by schools from throughout the region.

The Organisers

Under the auspices of the New Zealand Kite Fliers’ Association, a team of prominent Hawke’s Bay people are combining their respective skills and energies to stage this world event.

We introduce the 1995 NZ World Kite Festival Trustees…

1995 NEW ZEALAND WORLD KITE FESTIVAL TRUSTEES

JAMES WHITE
CHAIRMAN
International Kiter and Professional Photographer – Napier

JUDY WHITE
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN
International Kiter and Company Director – Napier

HEATHER HOLLAND
SECRETARY
Business Secretary – Napier

JOHN MATTHEWS
LEGAL ADVISER
Solicitor – Napier

DAVID PEARSON
TREASURER
Accountant – Napier

KEN GILLIGAN
TARADALE LIONS CLUB REPRESENTATIVE
Managing Director – Port of Napier Ltd

ANNE TOLLEY
CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE
Deputy Mayor – Napier

WILLIAM BOAG
DESIGNER
Craftsperson/Tutor Hawke’s Bay Polytechnic and New Zealand Kiter

MONICA CLARKE
PROMOTIONS ADVISER
Promotions Executive – Napier

PETER LYNN
INTERNATIONAL KITER
International Kitemaker – Ashburton

LEN SEARLE
TRAVEL ADVISER
President Japan Friendship HB
District Manager NZAA – Napier

KIT NIXON
MARKETING ADVISER
General Manager
Destination Napier

DALE COWIE
MARKETING ADVISER
Advertising Executive
Napier

KEVIN FARRINGTON
AIR NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATIVE

The Sponsors

Principal Sponsor: Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand, a sponsor of the 1990 Festival, knows the potential of this Festival to attract hundreds of international fliers and supporters.

Their generous sponsorship provides a package valued at $120,000 and includes:

travel assistance for some of the world’s top Kite Fliers
international marketing of the Event
bringing to Napier the World’s Largest Kite and its team of 10
offering international visitors additional excess luggage allowance so they can bring as many (big) kites as possible.
filming of the Event for in-flight screenings

Napier City Council

In 1995 Napier City Council will be celebrating its 121 birthday and the World Kite festival is a major event of the Celebration. The Council has allocated $20,000 to get the Kite Festival launched.

Significant contribution in kind will also be made by the Council – for instance free use of Anderson Park.

Taradale Lions Club

In return for providing the necessary people-power the Taradale Lions Club have been given the rights to the Park and will be selling off sites to stall-holders, and car parks to the public.

In 1990 the profit made by the Lions was reinvested into the Community through an Optimist Yacht facility which still enjoys constant patronage by the region’s secondary schools.

The Support

Hawke’s Bay is an Eventful place – the activities are many and varied but always the support is there – from sponsors, participants and the community …

1990 International Kite Festival – four days, 50,000 spectators

Art Deco Weekend – (three days) every year since 1989

International Concert – Mission Vineyard
1993 – Kiri Te Kanawa   audience of 17,000
1994 – Ray Charles   audience of 18,000
1995 – Artists as yet unannounced

Hawke’s Bay Vintners’ Charity  Wine Auction Weekend – (three days)

The Contact

More detailed information is available from:

James White
Chairman
1995 NZ World Kite Festival Trust
No 1 Clive Square
Napier
New Zealand

Telephone: Daytime
Facsimile
After hours

[Phone numbers withheld]

Media enquiries to:

Dale Cowie
Trustee – Marketing

Telephone: Daytime
Facsimile
After hours

Kit Nixon
Trustee – Marketing

Telephone: Daytime
Facsimile
After hours