The producers of one of the nation’s biggest free outdoor Christmas celebrations are calling for talented newcomers to audition for their chance to be part of the iconic musical spectacular

Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park, now in its 26th year.

Musical director Dixon Nacey and his team are looking for exciting new talent to perform alongside some of New Zealand’s most popular entertainers at the two big outdoor concerts in Christchurch and Auckland later this year.

Dixon has worked with some of the biggest names in the local and international music business and encourages young aspiring performers to audition for the iconic show which has helped launch the career of many young Kiwi entertainers.

Dixon says, “This is a unique opportunity for young performers to work alongside some of the biggest stars of the New Zealand music scene in front of a massive live audience. It’s a chance to be part of an event that celebrates Christmas in true Kiwi style, so if you think you’ve got what it takes, put your hand up and give it a go!”

The much-loved outdoor celebration is a multi-cultural showcase of talent and since 1994 has starred a huge number of popular home-grown and international acts.

Each year over 400 of the nation’s best singers, dancers and musicians perform in the two shows, and since the first concert over 9,000 of the nation’s top performers have appeared on the big stage.

Annette Chillingworth of Coca-Cola NZ says, “The Coke team is very excited to be bringing this truly world class event to the big stage for the 26th year. It’s been so rewarding to be able to present a show that has become the favourite Christmas celebration for thousands of Kiwi families and communities.

Aspiring performers are encouraged to apply online to audition. Successful applicants will be invited to attend the audition workshops being held next month in Auckland and Christchurch.

If you have what it takes to share the stage with some of New Zealand’s biggest stars, click on AUDITIONS for more information.

For more information or to arrange interviews or photo opportunities, please contact

Deborah Delaney on 021 480 961 or deborah@dgaltd.co.nz

Join us for our second annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast on Friday 10 May at the Auckland Bowling Club - 100 Stanley Street, Parnell. Starting at 8am with a delicious breakfast and bubbles, great entertainment, inspirational guest speaker, fabulous prizes and more! Tickets are only $40 with all funds raised going to Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand. Email info@dgaltd.co.nz to book your table or purchase tickets. Please visit our host page https://pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz/page/dgalimitedshostpage to donate directly to BCFNZ :)

Six weeks ago we met with our client Josef Rakich, founder of the Josef Rakich Fitness empire. He told us he planned to propose to his girlfriend of three years, Maryam Matti before they travelled to Canada at the end of June.

He wanted to surprise her with something really special while also keeping it a total secret from everyone.

Josef had already decided to buy Maryam a new car and wanted to incorporate this into his proposal. He’d seen a clip of a Saudi sheik unboxing a new Bugatti and asked if we could replicate this.

We secured Eden Park, booked a twin engine Bell 429 helicopter, found a company to create the gift box, took Josef shopping for the engagement ring and booked the West Lounge for the post proposal party. We even sent an invitation to a fake event to ensure Maryam kept the date free and dressed to impress.

In the meantime, Josef secretly invited over 100 friends and family to a surprise party at a restaurant in Kingsland on the same day. Shortly after guests arrived, two buses arrived to deliver the unsuspecting guests to the next venue, the Players Changing Rooms at Eden Park, where they were served champagne and canapes before being ushered through the tunnel and onto the field to await the couple.

At about 5.30pm the helicopter landed on Eden Park, Josef helped (the now blindfolded) Maryam disembark and led her to a large pink gift box on the other side of the field.

Once in front of the box, Josef removed the blindfold, told her to keep her eyes closed, and gave her two ribbons to pull. As she pulled the ribbons, the sides of the box fell down, hundreds of pinks balloons tumbled out revealing a brand new pink Range Rover Evoque convertible with “Will you marry me?” on the windscreen.

In shock and tears, Maryam turned to Josef who was now down on one knee holding a ring box. He popped the question, she said “Yes!” and as he slipped on the stunning 2.7 carat diamond ring, a burst of pink and gold fireworks exploded together with the cheers and tears of the gathered crowd.

Once the hugs, kisses and congrats were over, guests were led to the West Lounge to continue the celebrations with more champagne, dinner, dancing and heart-warming toasts from friends and family.

Biggest dilemma? How do we ever top that?

Kiwi singing sensations The Koi Boys, award-winning soul singer/songwriter Hollie Smith and country songstress Tami Neilson are the headline acts for Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park 2017. They’ll be sharing the big stage with a talent packed line-up that includes Lavina Williams, Caleb Jago-Ward, Maaka Fiso, Jessie Cassin, Ella Monnery and Josh Leys. They’ll be joined by a star trio of backing vocalists, Anna Grahame, Paul Fagamalo and Iri Aumatangi.

The nation’s favourite Christmas celebration happens in Christchurch’s Hagley Park on 25 November and in the Auckland Domain on 9 December 2017.

Since 1994 Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park has raised millions of dollars for New Zealand charities. Proceeds

from this year’s concerts will once again go towards Youthline, who help support and develop over 50,000 young people every year.

The Koi Boys will be appearing in the Auckland show and Tami Neilson will be appearing in the Christchurch show.

Josef Rakich, founder of Josef Rakich Fitness (JRF), today announced plans to donate JRF’s total profit for September to the Houston Food Bank, set up to provide meals for hungry residents and families affected by deadly Hurricane Harvey which continues to sweep through Texas.

Last month Josef hosted Officer Isaac Barnett, Sheriff of Harris County (Greater Houston) and winner of a 12 week body transformation giveaway JRF recently ran. The prize was an all-expense paid five day fitness training camp in Auckland, New Zealand.

Officer Barnett flew in with girlfriend Audrey and spent time with Josef and the JRF team training at the gym and learning about nutrition while eating out, sightseeing and swapping career stories.

“It was great to welcome Isaac to New Zealand and to hear so many “pay-it-forward” stories from Isaac’s life and career as a sheriff,” said Josef.

“We were truly humbled to have him as our guest and now learning of the devastation affecting his hometown of Houston and the loss of life, we want to do our part to help families affected by this terrible storm.”

Josef will be travelling to the United States this month to promote his Keto Diet Launch Tour and hopes this donation will inspire others to open their wallets to support victims of the recent disaster.

Anyone who wants to join Josef in supporting this appeal can donate directly to HoustonFoodBank.org or join any one of Josef’s transformation programs where all proceeds this month will go to the Houston Food Bank.

Go to www.josefrakichfitness.com to learn more.

The producers of Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park have been overwhelmed by the high standard and sheer number of talented performers who applied from all over New Zealand to audition for this year’s show.

Creative director Dixon Nacey (right)

and his team spent over 40 hours going over the record number of applications before narrowing it down to just over 200 aspiring hopefuls chosen to audition.

The auditions were held last weekend and they now have the tough job of selecting the very best to perform on the big stage at the Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park concerts being held in Christchurch and Auckland later this year.

“Our nationwide search uncovered some exceptional new talent - lots of fresh young faces as well as industry professionals - all keen to be part of an event that has launched the careers of many Kiwi performers, ” says Dixon.

The first Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park concert was held in 1994 and since then over 8,000 artists have performed on the big stage in front of massive live crowds and on the top-rating broadcast special.

“Each year we’re bowled over by the incredible talent we see on our stage, but this year has topped all expectations. It’s exciting to watch new artists grow and develop into world class entertainers performing in a world class event,” says Chris Litchfield, managing director of Coca-Cola Amatil NZ.

Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park will be held in Christchurch at North Hagley Park on Saturday 25 November and at the Auckland Domain on Saturday 9 December.

8 May 2017

The search is on for talented new stars to perform on the giant stage at the nation’s favourite Christmas celebration, Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park. Musical director Dixon Nacey and his team is looking for exciting new talent to perform alongside some of New Zealand’s most popular entertainers at the two big outdoor shows in Christchurch and Auckland later this year. Dixon has worked with some of the biggest names in the local and international music business and encourages young aspiring performers to audition for the iconic show, now in its 24th year. “This is a great opportunity for talented newcomers to perform in front of a massive live audience and be a part of one of the biggest musical productions in New Zealand,” says Dixon. The popular outdoor celebration is a multi-cultural showcase of talent which has featured top home-grown and international acts and helped launch the career of many Kiwi entertainers. Each year over 400 of the nation’s best singers, dancers and musicians appear in the two shows, and since 1994 over 8,500 of the nation’s top performers have appeared on the big stage. Chris Litchfield of Coca-Cola NZ says, “It’s very exciting to be able to provide a truly world class event that helps to showcase and launch the careers of so many incredibly talented young Kiwis.” Aspiring performers are encouraged to apply online to audition. Successful applicants will be invited to attend the audition workshops being held next month in Auckland and Christchurch. If you have what it takes to share the stage with some of New Zealand’s biggest stars, check out www.christmasinthepark.co.nz and click on AUDITIONS for more information. For more information please contact Deborah Delaney on 021 480 961 or deborah@dgaltd.co.nz