Thousands of people made the most of events held in Queenstown over the weekend, part of The QRC Downtown Sessions, coinciding with the 2011 Winter Games NZ - an event "every New Zealander can be proud of", Minister of Economic Development David Carter said on Friday night.
Addressing sponsors, patrons, WGNZ board members and athletes aboard TSS Earnlsaw, Mr Carter thanked everyone involved in the event who had progressed it so far in just two years.
"In [a] short time, WGNZ has become one of the biggest winter sporting events outside the Winter Olympics ... the tourism benefits to our economy are very, very significant," he said.
One of the most pleasing aspects of the event was its interprovincial nature, with events throughout Otago and Canterbury, he said.
Mr Carter had been in Christchurch's red zone on Friday morning and called it a "very sobering experience".
While the rebuild would take "some time", events such as WGNZ were vital to increase the city's visitor numbers and "bring people back to Christchurch".
WGNZ chairman Sir Eion Edgar said he was "absolutely delighted" with the turnout for the opening function on Friday night.
"The guests tonight are all very important. Without you, it would not be possible to organise and run a second Winter Games." He paid special tribute to WGNZ patrons: "Without your ongoing financial support, we would be in a financial hole".
More than 40 of New Zealand's best freestyle skiers and riders impressed about 3000 spectators at the Parklife Invitational Rail Jam in downtown Queenstown on Friday night.
The competitors dropped down a purpose-built 27m-long snow ramp, going head-to-head on a stair feature covered with snow brought in from nearby mountains.
Wanaka freeski brothers Jackson and Beau James Wells, among the youngest competitors at 13 and 15 respectively, showed off their skills with gravity-defying 720-degree spins and The Remarkables' Nick Hyne also shone.
First prize overall and $2000 cash went to snowboarder Nick Brown, while the gong for best trick went to Thubga Josayama of Wanaka.
Top skier was Gus Kenworthy of the United States, first female boarder was Jen Brown from the United Kingdom, a snowsports instructor at The Remarkables, and first female skier was Jule Seifert, of Germany.
On Saturday the inaugural AJ Hackett Bungy Adventure Expo was held at Queenstown's Memorial Hall, featuring interactive stalls from adventure tourism operators.
At 6pm the Volkl Vintage Ski Suit Fashion Show featured some once stylish outfits from days gone by. Queenstown's Mary Jowett was the overall winner, winning a pair of Volkl skis, valued at $1700, for her red, white and blue ensemble.
A sold-out performance of London Calling which explored the British invasion, from The Beatles to punk, entertained more than 300 people in Arrowtown on Saturday night, and more than 1000 revellers celebrated the final event in the 2011 Burton Open at the Queenstown Events Centre, featuring the Sunshine Sound System, Optimus Gryme, Kora, Tiki Taane and Shihad.
Yesterday the second annual Wine Down was held at Queenstown Resort College, featuring food, wine tasting, master classes and a chance to meet the wine makers.
WGNZ continues until August 28.
