The Shout Magazine (New Zealand)

NZ Cider Festival moves to Hawke’s Bay for 2021 event

The New Zealand Cider Festival has its 2021 festival will take place in Hastings and not in Nelson, as in previous years.

“We are so grateful to the people of Nelson Tasman for their support of the Cider Festival during the past five years,” says Shelley Haring, Managing Director of Nelson Venues & Events, the company managing the New Zealand Cider Festival on behalf of the New Zealand Fruit Wine & Cider Makers Association.

“We would also like to acknowledge the financial support that the Nelson City Council has provided through events funding. Without this support the event would not have developed to the position it is in today.

“When we launched the event in Nelson on behalf of the Association we did so on the understanding that we had a five-year opportunity to host the event here. The medium-term plan was to share the event between Nelson and Hawke’s Bay in alternating years.

“Rotating between these two locations will bring cider to as wide an audience as possible, showcase New Zealand’s two main cider growing regions, and will help ensure the longevity and impact of the event in support of our thriving cider industry.

“We are delighted to see the NZ Fruit Wine & Cider Association’s plans coming to fruition and we are excited to deliver the event for them in the Hawke’s Bay region in 2021.”

Haring says that continuing to work closely with the NZ Fruit Wine & Cider Association will mean that Nelson Venues & Events can maintain its longstanding relationship with the Association and cider makers, helping the event to develop, and ensuring that ardent local supporters in Nelson can remain connected with this important event in the region’s calendar for years to come.

“We understand that some Nelson people may be disappointed that the New Zealand Cider Festival is not being held in the Nelson Tasman region this year, but in the case of this particular event location sharing was always part of the plan and is a sign of success,” says Jody Scott, President of the New Zealand Fruit Wine & Cider Makers Association.

“We hope that the people of Nelson will continue to support the next stage in the development of this much-loved event.”

The 2021 New Zealand Cider Festival will be held at the Hastings Showgrounds on 13 November.

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