Christchurch is making a formal bid to host the biggest Maori performance event on the calendar - Te Matatini National Festival.
Te Matatini's selection panel will be welcomed onto Rehua Marae in St Albans on Tuesday morning where the Waitaha Cultural Council will present its plans to host the elite kapa haka performers.
The bid is supported by Ngai Tahu and Christchurch City Council. It's estimated 30,000 performers and visitors would converge on the city if it is successful.
If the show does go to Christchurch, it will be only the second time it's gone to the South Island since the first festival was held in Rotorua in 1972.
Te Tai Tokerau is the other region bidding for the 2015 hosting rights.
The host city will be announced on 22 February.
