Gloves off in war of the roses

By ANNE BESTON

The war of the roses has commenced, as two mayors fight over the $12 million economic benefits of the Ellerslie Flower Show.

Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis and Hamilton City Mayor David Braithwaite held separate, urgent talks with show organisers the Rotary Club of Auckland yesterday over the event's future.

But Sir Barry dismissed Hamilton's pitch as "no competition".

"The show was created here in Auckland, it belongs in the Auckland region, there is no better site than the Regional Botanic Gardens to be found in the Auckland region or indeed New Zealand," he said.

Mr Braithwaite, speaking as he drove into Hamilton yesterday, said he couldn't help noticing how beautiful the city's gardens were.

"We're happy to be in competition with anyone, including Manukau City, and we are certainly focusing on this initiative seriously," he said.

The deadline for expressions of interest from Hamilton City was today, Mr Braithwaite said, and he was confident that would be met.

However, a final bid would be conditional on council approval.

But while Hamilton is bidding for the outright show rights, Sir Barry was working to keep the show at its current Manurewa site by offering $100,000 of council funding - already in place when Rotary announced the show was cancelled this year - and council support.

However, that comes with a rider.

"I would like to have it renamed to reflect the actual location - to the Manukau Garden Show," Sir Barry said. "That would only be appropriate because it has not been held in Ellerslie for some years."

Other potential bidders believed to be interested are events companies International Management Group and SMC Group.

Earlier this week Rotary announced the 2004 event was cancelled, in its 10th anniversary year, and was up for sale. It blamed the show's dumping by major sponsor TVNZ for the decision.

However the Herald understands other concerns included a drop in attendance and lack of parking.