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Announcement of Rugby Legends for Rugby World Cup Conservation Project

Living Legends 17 “Rugby Legends” were announced at an event in Christchurch this morning.

Living Legends is a community conservation project that is managing 17 native tree planting projects throughout New Zealand during Rugby World Cup 2011. It was formerly launched by the Hon Kate Wilkinson, Minister for Conservation today.

Each Living Legends planting project is being managed in conjunction with New Zealand provincial rugby unions and will be dedicated to a regional ‘Rugby Legend’ selected by the unions.

The Rugby Legends are:

Northland – Richie Guy
North Harbour – Wayne Shelford
Auckland – Bryan Williams
Waikato – Duane Monkley
Bay of Plenty – Hika Reid
King Country – Sir Colin Meads
Taranaki/Wanganui – Ian Eliason
Hawke’s Bay – Ian MacRae
Manawatu – Sam Strahan
Horowhenua/Kapiti – Christian Cullen
Wellington/Wairarapa – Sir Brian Lochore
Tasman – Todd Blackadder
Buller/West Coast – John Sturgeon
Canterbury – Tane Norton
Mid Canterbury/South Canterbury – Jock Ross
North Otago/Otago – Kees Meeuws
Southland – Kevin Laidlaw

These Rugby Legends have been selected based on their significant contribution to New Zealand rugby, either as a player or administrator for their region.

The public can vote for their number one Rugby Legend through a campaign which has also been launched, the Meridian People’s Choice. Voting takes place on www.livinglegends.co.nz from now until the end of Rugby World Cup 2011 in October.

Living Legends planting projects all take place on public conservation land, and will encourage New Zealanders and overseas visitors to participate in the events.

Plantings will be held in Northland, North Harbour, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Horowhenua-Kapiti, Wellington, Tasman, Buller/West Coast, Mid Canterbury, Christchurch, Otago and Southland.

Living Legends is a joint venture of Project Crimson, an environmental charity with 20 years experience in community-based native restoration projects and The Tindall Foundation. We are thrilled to have the support of our major sponsors the Department of Conservation and Meridian Energy.

ENDS

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