He might only be in the country for a few hours, but Elton John will be lavished with New Zealand gifts and food during his short stay.

Elton arrived in Wellington in the afternoon of December 6, 2006 from Australia on a private jet. He was whisked to Westpac Stadium in a brand new chauffeur driven Mercedes, where he was taken to his suite, furnished especially for him by local company Parker Ferguson.

Promoter Phil Sprey said they wanted to give the star the best of everything to make his trip to Wellington a memorable one. "He's only here a matter of hours but you'd think we were fitting out an entire house," he said of Sir Elton's "greenroom".

The room will feature leather couches, rugs, coffee tables, lamps and glass work by Nelson's Hoglund Glass. Elton is fond of the one-off glass creations made by husband and wife team Ola and Marie Hoglund and he already has several of their creations in his personal collection.

Known for his penchant for fresh flowers, Elton has requested bunches in his personal rooms – but has stipulated he doesn't want any chrysanthemums, carnations, lilies or daisies.

While the performer doesn't drink alcohol, crew members will have a selection of New Zealand wines to choose from.

A major cricket fan, Elton will have access to Sky Sport in his room as well as a selection of local magazines and newspapers.

Because time is so tight, the Elton won't have time for a proper "sitdown" dinner before the concert so Wellington caterer Ruth Pretty is providing a selection of fresh, healthy produce for him to "graze" on. It will include cherries, strawberries, raspberries, New Zealand lamb cutlets and a selection of New Zealand cheeses.

Travelling with a personal staff of 28, including a hairstylist and makeup artist, Elton and his staff will all be given pounamu pendants to remember their time here as well as books on Wellington and a selection of New Zealand music.

Elton will also be given a whalebone necklace, a specially-made "surprise" gift by Wellington's Weta Workshop and beauty products by local woman Margaret Hema and New Zealand companies Trilogy and Living Earth.

Elton's list of requests was a "dream" compared to other big-name artists but Sprey said he wanted to go the "extra mile" because it was a small world and he hoped the singer and his crew would spread the good word about the city.

While Elton flies to Melbourne after the concert finishes, his piano and other equipment have to be trucked to Ohakea to be flown out because weight restrictions at Wellington Airport prevent them from being able to take off from the capital.

The furniture used by Sir Elton and his crew will be auctioned to raise money for Wellington Free Ambulance. It will go on display at Parker Ferguson's Thorndon Quay store on December 8, 2006. Bidding will close on December 10, 2006.

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