New Zealand Rugby 2017 Festival to deliver economic benefits

Anticipating that the British & Irish Lions rugby tour will deliver significant economic benefits, the New Zealand Government has allocated $3 million from its Major Events Development Fund to help the host cities show fans the best the country has to offer.

With the tour being marketed as the ‘Rugby 2017 Festival’, Minister for Sport and Recreation Dr Jonathan Coleman and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, last week announced activities that are planned under the event banners.

Dr Coleman explained “Rugby 2017 Festival is a program of engaging activities for fans that will run alongside the DHL New Zealand Lions Series in June and July.

“The Festival will provide a chance for communities and fans to enjoy the series which is a unique occasion to enjoy and celebrate rugby and reinforce our ability to host major events and showcase New Zealand to the world.

“The economic benefits to New Zealand when the British & Irish Lions last toured here in 2005 were considerable. Ticket sales totalled 355,000 and there were over 431,000 international visitor bed nights. There was also an estimated local television audience of over 3.5 million for the three tests.”

The program includes a series of rugby club ‘Legends at the Local’ events across the host cities, Matariki programmes and arts events all designed to engage fans in the days around the matches.

Minister Barry added “it also includes the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Lands of Hope and Glory’ concert, a world record haka attempt before the Maori All Blacks game in Rotorua and a ‘Dunedin Sounds’ music event.

“Rugby 2017 Festival will be a nationwide celebration that showcases our culture. We want as many New Zealanders as possible to be involved in providing our own unique kiwi hospitality to international visitors.”

The DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017 kicks off on 3rd June when the British & Irish Lions meet the New Zealand Provisional Barbarians in Whangarei. They will play all five Super Rugby teams, the Maori All Blacks, and three test matches against the All Blacks.

To help enhance the fan experience there will be a fan zone on Queens Wharf in Auckland to coincide with the test matches, with live match screenings, performances, exhibitions, food and beverage showcases. Some of the other host cities will also have their own fan zones.

Match Schedule

• Provincial Barbarians - Saturday 3rd June, Toll Stadium, Whangarei
• Blues - Wednesday 7th June, Eden Park, Auckland
• Crusaders - Saturday 10th June, AMI Stadium, Christchurch
• Highlanders - Tuesday 13th June, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
• Māori All Blacks - Saturday 17th June, Rotorua National Stadium
• Chiefs - Tuesday 20th June, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
• All Blacks - Saturday 24th June, Eden Park, Auckland
• Hurricanes - Tuesday 27th June, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
• All Blacks - Saturday 1st July, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
• All Blacks - Saturday 8th July, Eden Park, Auckland

More information on The Rugby 2017 Festival can be found at www.Rugby2017festival.com

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