All Blacks Experience appoints Phil McGowan as Business Manager

The All Blacks Experience, a joint venture between New Zealand Rugby and Ngāi Tahu Tourism, has appointed Phil McGowan as Business Manager as it prepares to open its doors in Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau).

McGowan, currently Head of Visitor Experience at Auckland Zoo, will start as Business Manager at The All Blacks Experience in April, with the tourism experience set to open mid-year.

McGowan is thrilled to be joining the new venture advising “The All Blacks Experience is a fully guided, state-of-the-art showcase of the All Blacks and our national teams in black.

“Through the use of innovation and technology, the experience will be fully sensory, interactive and immersive; the only rugby attraction of its kind in New Zealand and the only All Blacks attraction in the world.”

The 45-minute guided experience will see visitors come face-to-face with a four-metre-high haka in front of a packed stadium, hear first-hand from legends of the game, and get the chance to try their kicking, catching and line out skills against the All Blacks in the hands-on interactive zone.

McGowan adds “from the kick-off to the final whistle, visitors will be entertained and educated with the story of New Zealand’s deep passion for our national sport.”

The attraction will be located at 88 Federal Street within the SkyCity entertainment precinct and will include a retail outlet and a food and beverage offering.

Ngāi Tahu Tourism Chief Executive Quinton Hall notes the company is looking forward to welcoming McGowan and starting recruitment for the rest of the team advising “Mr McGowan has a wealth of experience in the tourism industry both in Aotearoa and the United Kingdom and will be a fantastic asset to the business.”

Ngāi Tahu Tourism, a subsidiary of Ngāi Tahu Holdings, which is governed by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, is one of the leading tourism operators in Aotearoa with 13 other businesses.

Fans can now secure their tickets on the All Blacks Experience website and be among the first to visit from mid-year. For more information go to www.experienceallblacks.com/

Images: Phil McGowan (top) and impressions of The All Blacks Experience (middle and below). Images supplied by Ngāi Tahu Tourism.