Party for Southlanders in the capital returns after three years

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Ex-Southlanders get down and party at the Beehive's Banquet Hall for the annual Southland party in 2004. Pictured from left, Brad Tattersfield, Barry Soper, Conor English and Gerry Forde toast their Speights and Southland wine.

Rob Kitchin/Stuff

Ex-Southlanders get down and party at the Beehive’s Banquet Hall for the annual Southland party in 2004. Pictured from left, Brad Tattersfield, Barry Soper, Conor English and Gerry Forde toast their Speights and Southland wine.

More than 200 Southlanders living in the capital are gearing up to celebrate all things from the deep south, with the welcome return of the Southland Party.

First established in the 1990s, the Southland Party was re-launched in 2012 after a nine-year absence, however Covid has curtailed the event for the past three years.

Southland Party organising committee chair Brian Finn says the event, held at Parliament, is a great chance to celebrate all that is good about the province.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Southlanders to get together, have a yarn, eat some world-class Southland food and share a few drinks. It’s also a chance to fly the flag for Southland in the capital,” he said.

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“It’s always a cracking night, so we’re urging any Southlanders based in Wellington and elsewhere around the country to get a ticket and come along.”

The event is supported by the Alliance Group, brewers Lion, NZAS, Great South, Invercargill Licensing Trust, Fonterra, Air New Zealand and the Southland Chamber of Commerce.

Fat Bastard Pies, Hokonui Moonshine, Auld Farm Distillery, The Highlanders, Rugby Southland, Southern Steel and Ngāi Tahu Seafood are also supporting the event, Finn said.

Finn said a portion of the proceeds raised from the event will go to Hawthorndale Care Village in Invercargill, which was named the official charity of this year’s event.

Tim Shadbolt and former National MP Eric Roy at the Southland Party in 2014.

Supplied

Tim Shadbolt and former National MP Eric Roy at the Southland Party in 2014.

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