REAL New Zealand Festival July Update

July 2011

Well June seemed to simply disappear on us and it’s now under 10 weeks until the Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off!

We’ve seen a huge number of new events 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. Attached is the latest Events Highlights.

In this month’s update you’ll find information about the RWC 2011/REAL New Zealand Festival Roadshow currently trucking its way through the country; plus the first taste of what will be happening on Queens Wharf in Auckland, how all New Zealanders can learn all 20 anthems of the RWC 2011 teams and one region’s way of welcoming visiting teams.

Rugby World Cup 2011 Roadshow Hits the Tarmac in July

During July people throughout New Zealand will get the opportunity to experience what Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC2011) will be like when the official RWC 2011 Roadshow tours the country.

Key highlights of the nationwide tour include a taste of each region’s unique REAL New Zealand Festival events and the opportunity for fans to be photographed with the Webb Ellis Cup.
Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd Chief Executive Martin Snedden says "we are really excited about the amount of buzz the RWC 2011 Roadshow will generate as the Tournament draws ever closer."

The large custom-designed touring truck has already made its way through Bluff, Invercargill and Queenstown on its trip north taking in 27 cities and towns across the country finishing in Auckland on Sunday July 31. The Cup, without the accompanying touring truck, will also visit an additional seven towns along the way.
NZ 2011 Director Leon Grice says each stop on the RWC 2011 Roadshow will bring its own experience.
“From oyster shucking competitions, street performances and bands to Rugby culture and food festivals, the uniqueness of every New Zealand region will be on display through the Roadshow’s REAL New Zealand Festival events.
The RWC 2011 Roadshow is being organised by Rugby New Zealand 2011 and the NZ 2011 Office with support from Tournament Sponsors Land Rover, DHL and ANZ; and House of Travel an official travel agent of RWC.

The full media release on the RWC 2011 Roadshow can be found here and attached is the map and schedule.

Queens Wharf comes alive for Rugby World Cup 2011

The Government and Auckland city have announced further details of plans to deliver the nation’s premier Rugby World Cup 2011 Fanzone, festival and showcase experience on Queens Wharf in Auckland.

Rugby World Cup 2011 Minister Murray McCully said Queens Wharf will be open every day of RWC 2011 with free access. “New Zealanders and visitors will be able to watch the rugby on big screens, enjoy free concerts by top kiwi bands and view displays of New Zealand’s creativity, innovation and ingenuity.”

Highlights for the Queens Wharf programme include:
• An official RWC 2011 Fanzone which will screen all 48 matches live on multiple big screens.
• The homecoming of Tourism New Zealand’s Giant Rugby Ball – with free admission.
• A series of events in The Cloud showcasing the best of New Zealand business and industry ingenuity and innovation.
• A series of live concerts by popular bands and musicians.

“Queens Wharf is the event hub of the REAL New Zealand Festival and live music will be one of the features of Queens Wharf entertainment. Bands confirmed include Opshop, The Feelers, The Black Seeds, Katchafire, Don McGlashan, Greg Johnson, Bella Kalolo, Moana and the Tribe, Tami Neilson and I Am Giant” said Mr McCully.

The Queens Wharf entertainment programme will be focused around weekends during pool play and the programme intensifies during the school holidays, with special events from the Quarter Finals to the Final weekend.

Read the full media release here

Join in Rugby World Cup 2011 Anthems

The national anthems of all 20 Rugby World Cup 2011 teams will soon be sung throughout New Zealand – and you can join in.

In a joint project between Rugby New Zealand 2011 and the REAL New Zealand Festival, the anthems have been recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and a nationally selected choir brought together by the New Zealand Choral Federation.

The Anthems Project was funded by the REAL New Zealand Festival Lottery Fund and aims to encourage New Zealanders to learn the national anthems to provide a warm welcome to visiting teams.

REAL New Zealand Festival Director Briony Ellis says the Anthems Project has been incredibly exciting and offers the opportunity for New Zealanders to get behind the Tournament and be a stadium of four million.

”This is a great way for our communities to make the teams and fans they host really welcome.”

As part of the Anthems Project, choral workshops will be held throughout the country for groups to learn the anthems. A list of the anthems workshops is attached. To download the RWC 2011 national anthems, visit www.nz2011.govt.nz/anthems or www.realnzfestival.com/anthems or on each team’s section at www.rugbyworldcup.com

The full media release is here

Northland Paints It Red

They’re painting it red in Northland to welcome the region’s three visiting teams – Canada, Japan and Tonga, who all have red in their national flags. Red banners, bunting and even red flowers in the public gardens will bring the region to life to celebrate RWC 2011.

Northland 2011 Regional Coordinator Stewart McElwain says, “Paint it Red” is gathering momentum and the people of Northland are going to be painting the region red in every which way they can. “We’ve produced some “Paint it Red” t-shirts, the council will plant red flowers throughout the Tournament period, and red will be a strong theme in our pre- and post-match celebrations.”

Diary Dates

4-31 July: RWC 201 and REAL New Zealand Festival Roadshow – stopping at 27 cities and towns throughout the country from Bluff to Kaitaia

1 August: August Media Update

29 August: First team arrives

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

ENDS

© Scoop Media