Todd Energy has been a long-term supporter of the New Zealand World of Music Arts and Dance (WOMAD) festival since it first relocated to New Plymouth in 2003.

This partnership with WOMAD and other community causes recognises the long and positive association the business has enjoyed with the Taranaki region and also acknowledges the direct benefit the festival provides to the community and local economy while enhancing New Zealand's profile on a world stage.

Since the highly successful 2003 event the festival has continued to go from strength to strength and 2009 promises to deliver three further exhilarating days of international rhythms, sights and sounds!

An African music legend, funky French punksters, an original member of the Buena Vista Social Club, eight horn-playing brothers and "the voice of the Sahara" are among the stellar line-up of artists heading to New Zealand for WOMAD New Zealand 2010.

WOMAD is on again 13 - 15 March 2010, set in the stunning 55 acre park and garden venue of Brooklands Park & TSB Bowl, New Plymouth. Over three-days, WOMAD will deliver 30 hours of entertainment on six stages, provided by 250 artists from 19 different countries.

With artists hailing from almost every corner of the globe - Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Australia and New Zealand - WOMAD New Zealand 2010 is truly an international event.

Heading the line-up of music for the three-day festival is Ethiopiques featuring Ethiopian music legend Mahmoud Ahmed (2007 BBC Radio World Music Award - Africa winner) together with a 10-piece band.

Star of the Buena Vista Social Club, Eliades Ochoa from Cuba is also confirmed for WOMAD New Zealand 2010, along with French gypsy dancehall punksters Babylon Circus; America's Hypnotic Brass Ensemble featuring eight horn-playing brothers and "the voice of the Sahara", Mariem Hassan.

Also from Africa comes Dub Colossus, an Ethiopia/UK project featuring Ethiojazz star Feleke Hailu, while from Palestine/Israel comes one of the most beautiful voices in the Middle East, Amal Murkus.

Eclectic American band Calexico, Scottish singer Eddi Reader (ex Fairground Attraction), legendary accordion player Mairtin O'Connor (Ireland) and Spain's vibrant Ojos be Brujo also feature for the festival.

Other international acts include Australia's Blue King Brown, Dutch theatre with De Stijle, Want; Gochag Askarov from Azerbaijan (recognised by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the world's verbal and non-verbal heritage); Algeria's Kamel al Haraachi Chaabi Music; Finnish master musicians Lepisto and Lehti, Mexico-based Nortec Collective; seminal ska group Skatalites (Jamaica); Ross Daly and Ensemble from Greece, and DJ Nickodemus (USA) and the Gyuto Monks from Tibet/Australia return to WOMAD.

A solid line-up of New Zealand performers includes the acclaimed NZTrio, collaborating on a special project Lepisto and Lehti exclusively for WOMAD; along with Northland reggae band 1814; songstress Anna Coddington; The Bellbirds (featuring Don McGlashan and Victoria Kelly together with Sandy Mill and Sean Donnelly); House of Shem; Iva Lamkum; LA Mitchell; Ladi6; Pacific Curls and kapa haka performance from Te-Whanau-A-Apanui.

The essence of WOMAD is the discovery and enjoyment of a totally unexpected artist or a style of music never encountered before.

At the heart of the festival is The Global Village. Made up of more than 80 stalls trading a vast range of international foods, beverages, and arts and crafts. Workshops with performers are very popular and the Kidszone brings out the creativity in all children. WOMAD is known for its family-friendly atmosphere.

Tickets are on sale now through Ticket outlets or online at www.ticketek.co.nz .

For more information about the artists and WOMAD Christmas gifts visit www.womad.co.nz

Todd Energy is proud to be associated with such a professionally run and successful festival and the company's support of WOMAD complements its wider investment in Taranaki region and support of key community facilities such as the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre in New Plymouth and local Raceway.