REAL New Zealand Festival Media Update: May 2011

REAL_New_Zealand_Festival__Highlights_May.pdf
REAL_Media_Images__captions_and_credits_May_2011.pdf

MEDIA UPDATE: May 2011
The countdown is on and it’s now less than four months to go until the first game – All Blacks vs Tonga – kicks off Rugby World Cup 2011 in Auckland on Friday 9 September.

Events continue to be added to the REAL New Zealand Festival – the nationwide festival running alongside the Tournament which will offer more than 1,000 events and experiences the length and breadth of the country showcasing New Zealand’s arts, food and wine, cultures, heritage, entertainment, industries and business, experiences and lifestyle.

This month’s update looks at other activities within the NZ 2011 Office – the REAL New Zealand Showcase and Community Engagement, and you’ll also find information on a fantastic feature of the REAL New Zealand Festival website.

Also below is a brief update on Christchurch – a major announcement regarding Christchurch events will be made on Friday 27 May

Connecting Rugby with Business

The REAL New Zealand Festival is one of three key programmes developed by the NZ 2011 Office to showcase New Zealand’s uniqueness and talents. While the REAL New Zealand Festival is about events and experiences, New Zealand business and industry is set to benefit through the REAL New Zealand Showcase and the NZ 2011 Business Club.

Minister for the Rugby World Cup Murray McCully launched the REAL New Zealand Showcase in May saying that the Tournament “puts New Zealand in the international spotlight like never before. This is an unprecedented opportunity for a small trading nation to surprise the world with our extraordinary capabilities.”
RWC 2011 will bring 85,000 international visitors to New Zealand, 2000 international media and will be watched by millions of viewers in more than 200 countries.

“Our visitors may be here for the rugby, but they’re also business people. We’re going to see some heavy hitters from the business world on our doorstep wanting more than a hot dog at a game.”

Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett has been working across New Zealand industries and businesses to develop the business showcasing programme for The Cloud, on Auckland’s waterfront.

Michael is a strong believer in New Zealand businesses taking up the opportunity to show themselves off to the world.

“We are innovative and creative and we respond to the needs of the world. This is a one-off opportunity – we can act on it, or we can do nothing and it remains just an opportunity.”

Follow Your Team and Enjoy The Festival

The REAL New Zealand Festival website is packed with information, but take a look at some of the tools which help rugby fans create special itineraries around the games they are attending. The Trip Planner allows you to choose the team you are following and then creates a suggested itinerary of REAL New Zealand Festival events plus you can customise it by adding additional events and then at the click of a button it emails you a pdf version of the itinerary.

Flying the Flags Across The Country

Kiwis across the country are embracing the spirit of the Tournament by decorating their streets, workplaces and schools with RWC 2011 flag bunting.

Almost 5,000 units of bunting have already been ordered by businesses, schools, councils and communities around New Zealand.

Community Engagement manager Mandi Van Weede says RWC 2011 is a great excuse for New Zealanders to get into party mode.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for people to celebrate an historic New Zealand event and give a special welcome to our visiting teams and 85,000 international fans. The bunting is a fun and easy way for anyone to support the Tournament simply by decorating their house, street, workplace or community.”

Flag bunting which includes all the RWC 2011 national flags is available for $11.95 per 10 metre unit. Or to support a visiting team you can buy bunting with flags from one nation only at $21.95 per 10 metre unit.

From 1 June, find out more about RWC 2011 bunting at nz2011.govt.nz/get-involved or order now by contacting kj.smith@nz2011.govt.nz

An Update on Christchurch

NZ 2011, the REAL New Zealand Festival and Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee have been working closely with Christchurch City Council, Christchurch Arts Festival and other regional parties to develop a programme of events for Christchurch during Rugby World Cup 2011. An announcement on these events will be made on Friday 27 May in Christchurch.

The REAL New Zealand Festival has already made a strong commitment to ensure that almost all Festival events planned for Christchurch and Canterbury will still go ahead.

Festival events in the region include the Christchurch Arts Festival, The Body Festival of Dance and Physical Theatre and REAL Canterbury Market Days.

Already announced is that Christchurch Arts Festival dates have been realigned to run prior to and during RWC 2011 with events and entertainment focused around weekends. Christchurch Arts Festival is launching its full programme on Thursday 7 July.

Diary Dates

27 May: Announcement about Christchurch events as part of REAL New Zealand Festival (media release will be sent)

1 June: 100 Days to Go

21 June: June Media Update

29 August: First team arrives

9 September: Rugby World Cup 2011 Tournament starts; REAL New Zealand Festival underway

High resolution images are available. NZ 2011 Office director Leon Grice and REAL New Zealand Festival director Briony Ellis are available for interview.

ENDS

REAL_New_Zealand_Festival__Highlights_May.pdf
REAL_Media_Images__captions_and_credits_May_2011.pdf

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