NZ | RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

For ALL topics and developments related to RWC 2011.

PROJECTS:

STADIUMS:
EDEN PARK STADIUM | AUCKLAND
AMI STADIUM | CHRISTCHURCH
FORSYTH BARR STADIUM | DUNEDIN

RELATED PROJECTS:
QUEEN'S WHARF
MARINE EVENT'S CENTRE
SEA+CITY PROJECT
LORNE STREET UPGRADE
FORT STREET AREA UPGRADE
ELLIOTT STREET UPGRADE
AIRPORT HOTEL

[Kiwi-Si]

www.nz2011.govt.nz

Good website for everything Rugby World Cup related and also includes live web cam and time lapse videos of Eden Park.

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

Stadium Christchurch opens after Cup facelift

11:00 AM Thursday Jan 21, 2010

AMI Stadium this morning celebrated the completion of its $60 million redevelopment, making it New Zealand's second largest sporting venue. During the Rugby World Cup, the venue will be known by the name "Stadium Christchurch". A dawn blessing to mark the official re-opening of the new-look stadium was attended by Prime Minister John Key and other dignitaries. The new 13,000 seat Deans Stand is the centrepiece of the redevelopment which includes a number of other improvements including an internal concourse linking all sections of the stadium. The refurbished stadium will host five pool matches and two quarter-final matches for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The redevelopment has significantly increased the stadium's permanent capacity to 38,628, bringing it up to international standard. Temporary seating will boost the capacity to nearly 45,000 for RWC 2011. Chief Executive of Rugby New Zealand 2011 Limited (RNZ 2011), Martin Snedden said AMI Stadium is definitely "right up there" as a venue for Rugby World Cup 2011.

"These redevelopments ensure the stadium will be a showcase venue for Rugby World Cup 2011. The venue has a long history of hosting top-quality events, but the upgrades will leave a lasting legacy for New Zealand sport and the people of Canterbury to enjoy for years to come." There will be a free open day for the public of Canterbury this Saturday from 10am to 4pm. The original stadium dates back to 1880 when the Canterbury Cricket and Athletics Sports Company purchased ten acres from the estate of Benjamin Lancaster of Bournemouth, England. The sports ground adopted the name Lancaster Park and was officially opened in 1881. In its early years, Lancaster Park hosted a variety of sporting events including trotting, cycling, swimming, tennis and even hot air ballooning. Other notable events include visits by Pope John Paul II (1986) and Queen Elizabeth (1963). It was renamed Jade Stadium in 1998. In 2007, it was renamed AMI Stadium after the insurance company acquired the naming rights.

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

Prince William tours Eden Park
Auckland, Sunday 17 January 2010

Prince William was given a behind the scenes tour of the stadium, which is currently being redeveloped for Rugby World Cup 2011. Eden Park will host two semi-finals and the final of the tournament, as well as five pool matches and the bronze final. The redevelopment is boosting its capacity to 60,000. The Prince was hosted by Prime Minister John Key, John Waller, chairman of the Eden Park Redevelopment Board and Auckland Mayor John Banks, as well as Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) Chairman Jock Hobbs and CEO Martin Snedden. The Prince was given an update on plans for Rugby World Cup and the new look stadium and was presented with his own RWC 2011 jersey. Several All Blacks, including Richie McCaw, Ali Williams and Dan Carter, joined Prince William on his tour of the park. The Prince also joined in a few training drills with a group from the Pakuranga Rugby Club Under-10s.

[IHaveNoLegs]

Originally Posted by Mr_kiwi_fruit

I'm amazed that the same shitty render is being used rather than taking a photo of it since it is completed

[piles]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10623567

Minister confident Auckland will cope with RWC crowds

Transport Minister Steven Joyce is confident Auckland will be ready to host the Rugby World Cup next year, despite a report which shows the city's transport network won't cope with the influx of thousands of visitors.

The draft strategy, prepared last July by the Auckland Regional Transport Authority and released to the Dominion Post under the Official Information Act, showed planners were worried.

An extra 60,000 people are expected in the city for the event, placing more than four times the demand on public transport than Auckland had seen before.

"During presentations and meetings with decision-makers an attitude of `this is a small increase in business as usual' has been encountered," the report said.

"The levels of patron movement and operational standard (needed for the RWC) are in reality significantly above what is currently delivered." Nearly 2km of roadside parking had to be found around Eden Park for 130 buses and the entire fleet of 38 Auckland trains would be needed on match days.

Mr Joyce said last night the report showed there was "considerable work to do", but good progress had been made since the report was written.

Auckland Mayor John Banks said $58 million was being spent on the Eden Park precinct and thousands were expected to walk from the central city well ahead of game kick-offs

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

More than 560 workers are on site six days a week in order to ensure the park is fully operational before the 2011 Rugby World Cup. That number is expected to rise to more than 600 workers in the coming weeks. They’re installing wiring, plumbing, stoves, toilet cubicles and many other essentials in the new south stand and adding a second tier to the east stand, which replaces the terraces. Construction has also begun on the western concourse, connecting the ASB and south stands. It means patrons will be able to access Eden Park from a variety of entrances. Some of the finer details around the wider complex are starting to take shape, such as the building of planter boxes for trees that line a new road leading into the stadium. It is capable of carrying coaches under the south stand and on to the field itself. Eden Park Trust Board chairman John Waller says he’s pleased with how the redevelopment is progressing. "Every week that goes past, it gets closer to the date we start testing for the world cup." After a break of several months, sport returns to Eden Park next month with two Black Caps one-day cricket matches and a Blues Super 14 rugby game.

[KLK]

I've been looking at various shots in the Queens Wharf thread posted by Mr Kiwifruit and others, and in almost all those shots where the wharf to the east (Captain Cook?) is in the foreground/background, its highly underutilised for storing cars. Here is an example of MR KF's:



It got me thinking, how hard can it be to "borrow" the wharf for 2mths during RWC2011?

Not an easy task probably, knowing the ports. But if we could, what a great place to set up a temporary rugby field - posts and all.

It could be laid/rolled grass or astroturf. On some days you could have structured events - exhibition games (no conversions or kicking for "touch"), club or company touch rugby tournaments, you could even divide the field up and have the clubs/schools have junior games on them.

On other days it could be left open for people to kick balls (even round ones), play small games of touch or just lie around.

Seems a great image for the centre of the rugby world in 2011. A rugby pitch with posts stretching out into a beautiful harbour. I reckon I know someone who might pay for it as well



Anybody know someone at Heineken marketing I can speak to? Ha.

[KLK]

Capital prepares Rugby World Cup party
By KERRY WILLIAMSON - The Dominion Post
Last updated 05:00 12/02/2010



GAME ON: Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast with drawings of the World Cup base to be centred around the new wharewaka being built on the waterfront.

Rugby World Cup village on Wellington's waterfront – centred around a yet-to-be-built wharewaka – will become the focus of celebrations at next year's tournament.

More than 1200 partygoers will be able to pack into the building and a marquee next door, with the city council set to rent the wharewaka, or canoe house, its staff and its facilities for the event.

It will be the focus of Rugby World Cup celebrations, costing ratepayers about $150,000 – considerably less than a $100 million plan to build a party zone in Auckland.

The proposal has already gained interim approval from cup organisers. Work began a month ago on the wharewaka, which is due to be completed by mid-January.

The tournament, in September and October next year, is expected by the council to be worth at least $45 million for Wellington, attracting at least 50,000 visitors.

"[The wharewaka] will be the centre in Wellington for the Rugby World Cup," Mayor Kerry Prendergast said.

"It will be the fan base, the fan hub. There won't be anybody here as part of the Rugby World Cup who won't go and have a look at this unique and special centre for rugby. It's exciting and it's visionary."

The council will lease the $11m building – being built beside Frank Kitts Lagoon – from Wharewaka o Poneke Charitable Trust. The wharewaka is funded by the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust, Wellington Tenths Trust, Palmerston North Maori Reserve Trust and the council, which has contributed $800,000. The Government has committed $7m.

When complete, the 1800-square-metre building will house two ceremonial waka, exhibition and function areas, a cafe and offices. During the Rugby World Cup, it will feature televisions showing games.

Fans will be encouraged to gather at the village, with ushers escorting ticket holders to Westpac Stadium, to be renamed Wellington Regional Stadium for the tournament. It will be complemented by a giant television screen in Civic Square and a "fan zone" in Courtenay Place.

Before and after games, the wharewaka will host entertainment, cultural displays, official World Cup functions, and powhiri for visiting teams.

Sir Ngatata Love, chairman of Wharewaka o Poneke Charitable Trust, said the wharewaka would be able to hold about 700 people, with another 500 inside the marquee.

"It's a big building, an exciting building. Anything to do with the Rugby World Cup, this is where you will go," he said.

Ad Feedback The council will consider the plan next week. Funding will have to be included in the draft annual plan.

The announcement is in stark contrast to Auckland, which continues to debate how it should develop its own party centre.

The Government issued images yesterday of four leading designs for Auckland's Queens Wharf, but a timeline for construction is far from confirmed. Eight designs were rejected last year by World Cup Minister Murray McCully, mayor John Banks and regional council chairman Mike Lee for lacking the necessary "wow factor".

"The message from us is that we're ready," Ms Prendergast said.

Rugby New Zealand 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden said Wellington's rugby village would provide a "fantastic focal point for fans to share in the excitement of the tournament".

Wellington Police Area Commander Pete Cowan said a central gathering point for fans would make policing easier. "It becomes a heart, it becomes a pulse, and that's good for the city and it's good for policing because we can centralise our resources. The location is ideal for us."

The village concept will be a boon for two bars near the wharewaka.

Jason Pearce, manager of St Johns Heineken Hotel, said it was likely to extend his bar's peak season by several months.

Kevin McAree, manager of Mac's Brewery Bar, said the site was a "natural spot" for the rugby village. "And obviously it will be good for us to sell a beer or two."

[piles]

From the NZ Herald

Stadium's ticketing debacle a 'wake-up call'

Furious rugby fans questioned New Zealand's readiness to host the Rugby World Cup next year after "disgusting" scenes at the opening match of the Super 14 season saw some spectators locked out of the game.

An investigation has begun after thousands of supporters missed the start of the Blues versus Hurricanes game at North Harbour Stadium on Friday due to a ticketing "debacle".

Stadium officials were caught out when 6000 people turned up to buy or pick up tickets, causing the crowd to swell to a 23,000-sellout.

Frustrated fans faced long delays for tickets, while others tried to scale the perimeter fence after being told they had joined the wrong queue.

Prime Minister John Key expressed concern and said any repeat during next year's tournament would be unacceptable.

"We are enormously focused on getting the Rugby World Cup absolutely right and wouldn't want anything like this happening again," he said.

Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully labelled the incident a "wake-up call" and said a full investigation would be carried out by stadium officials and the New Zealand Rugby Union.


Aucklander Marcel van Dijck was left seething after he wasn't allowed in to meet a friend visiting from the United States.

He wrote on Twitter: "Can't even go to the same area as my USA guests, embarrassed to be a Kiwi today. Absolutely disgusting organisation, shambles.

"NZRU hold your head in shame. What a disorganised load of rubbish. A joke. North Harbour Stadium u r a mess. Rugby is the loser. Good luck with the World Cup."

Van Dijck ended up leaving at halftime with his 9-year-old son.

He added: "The facilities were a joke."

North Harbour Stadium chief executive Brendan O'Connor apologised to fans.

He said: "We got slammed by walk-ups late in the piece. I apologise to people that did experience frustration."

Fans also blasted stadium officials for understaffing at food and drink stalls. John Fitch, from Henderson, said he missed a quarter of the game while queuing to buy a beer.

He said: "It was bloody awful. I have gone to rugby games all over the world and never experienced service as bad as that. People were saying 'it's only 12 months out from a World Cup'. It was shocking."

Graham Potter, chairman of the Auckland Rugby Supporters Club, said thousands of people trickled into the ground throughout the first half.

The $41m stadium, which has been beset by problems since it was opened in 1997, is due to host three pool matches next year.

Cup heavyweights France - Richie McCaw's All Blacks' main rivals in Pool A - will play an Asian qualifier there. World champions South Africa have two matches at the stadium, including a showdown with Samoa.

The stadium missed out to Eden Park to host the final.

The ground will increase capacity to 30,000 for the tournament, placing even more strain on public transport and infrastructure.

McCully, whose East Coast Bays electorate borders the ground, said he was worried about the effect of the ticketing furore on New Zealand's reputation.

"This isn't the sort of thing that will help our ability to attract visitors here and sell packages to games.

"It's not the sort of advertisement we were looking for and I am sure that it's a wake-up call for people running major sporting events in New Zealand."

McCully, an avid North Harbour rugby fan, added: "New Zealanders would expect us to do better.

"I do expect us to get these things right. I am sure that the post-mortem will be thorough and lessons will be learned.

"North Harbour will be on display this year and we need to eliminate mistakes."

The minister said he would be speaking to stadium boss O'Connor to make sure there was no repeat.

"I know that those involved are going to take this very seriously. I think it's correct that with the capacity being lifted for the World Cup we need to make sure that every detail is nailed down."

The cup's organising body said they would be monitoring developments closely.

Nigel Cass, the chief of tournament services for Rugby World Cup 2011, said 5000 volunteers would be deployed to ensure rugby fans were looked after at matches.

He said: "One of our top priorities is ensuring spectators have a fantastic experience on their way to games, getting into games, and moving around inside stadiums.

"We will be looking at existing processes and seeing if there are things that can be made better."

[GoluBoy]

Fans also blasted stadium officials for understaffing at food and drink stalls. John Fitch, from Henderson, said he missed a quarter of the game while queuing to buy a beer.

Priority One:

Eden Park Concourse in new main stand.

100+ dedicated aisles providing food and beverages staffed by 100+ 'well presented' polite Kiwi's.

Fast turnaround with courteous service.

For the rest of stands,modern refreshment services were appropriate.

How difficult can it really be?.

[IHaveNoLegs]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news...632185&ref=rss
Absolutely pointless what a waste of money if this goes ahead

[Davee]

^ I like it.......once again Wellington leads the country in civic art, we could do with more stuff like this to brighten up CHC

[IHaveNoLegs]

A statue of Andrew Mehrtens would be a good thing, but not that hunk of junk

[darkhorse09]

Meanwhile on the other side of the world. London Olympics set to build a £15 Million Olympic Monument. What a waste of money.....

[IHaveNoLegs]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/new...s-for-RWC-fans
I'm liking this but I'm not licking the idea of developments coming from models made in google sketchup

[KLK]

Also, really like the idea of "Rugby Rd" from Cathedral Square to the Stadium.

With similar plans for Auckland, as well as the proximity of many of the other stadiums to the city centres (best illustrated by Wellington and Dunedin), this will be a real feature of the tournament - drinking in the inner city bars and strolling to/from the games, rather than having to jump on a bus or train for 30+mins

[cambennett]

Rugby World Cup travel packages selling at record levels
Reuters - April 22, 2010, 2:34 am

LONDON, April 21 (Reuters) - Rugby union continues to buck the gloomy economic climate with expensive tour packages for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand selling at record levels.

After figures this month revealed the healthy state of the Six Nations championship, organisers of English travel packages for next year's Sept. 9-Oct. 23 event have reported a 37 percent increase in sales compared with the same stage of the 2007 tournament in France.

England Rugby Travel, the official travel company for England fans, have reported revenues in excess of 1.2 million pounds ($1.85 million) six weeks after packages went on sale.

The most popular package is a 19-night quarter-finals to final option ranging from 4,000 pounds for a basic international flights and match tickets deal to 8,500 pounds full and "all inclusive" arrangement with accommodation, internal flights and various excursions.

Justin Hopwood, head of sales and marketing for English rugby travel, said he was pleased but not entirely surprised by the figures.

"This was always going to be a special event as with the growth of the tournament this could be the last time New Zealand host it," he told Reuters on Wednesday.

"We find that the rugby World Cup is a very different from a soccer World Cup. It is less about the pure match attendance and more inclusive of the whole experience.

"With New Zealand being so far away people have decided to make it a 'once in a lifetime' trip, taking in all the great tourist opportunities on offer alongside the rugby.

"The price is something they have had to work towards. The interest has been high on many fans' agenda for a long time, sales are probably two thirds towards top-end packages.

"They've seen this as a chance to combine it with a RWC and they know New Zealand will deliver a World Cup like no other. The whole country is immersed in the sport."

Comparisons with 2007 could be misleading as so many fans opted for short visits, sometimes several of them, and the best-sellers then were three-day packages.

Nevertheless, the early figures for 2011 certainly indicate that the sport remains in a healthy place and continues to attract fans who can afford the time and the money.

"People say that sports tourism is a growing market but it is not as general as that," said Hopwood. "A lot of our target market are people not necessarily affected by the economic conditions. Those kind of people want an experience for their money and prioritise that possibly over value for money.

"They have been saving towards this for a long time and they want to make memories for a lifetime."

[buildemhigh]

Originally Posted by cambennett

Rugby World Cup travel packages selling at record levels
Reuters - April 22, 2010, 2:34 am

LONDON, April 21 (Reuters) - Rugby union continues to buck the gloomy economic climate with expensive tour packages for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand selling at record levels.

After figures this month revealed the healthy state of the Six Nations championship, organisers of English travel packages for next year's Sept. 9-Oct. 23 event have reported a 37 percent increase in sales compared with the same stage of the 2007 tournament in France.

England Rugby Travel, the official travel company for England fans, have reported revenues in excess of 1.2 million pounds ($1.85 million) six weeks after packages went on sale.

The most popular package is a 19-night quarter-finals to final option ranging from 4,000 pounds for a basic international flights and match tickets deal to 8,500 pounds full and "all inclusive" arrangement with accommodation, internal flights and various excursions.

Justin Hopwood, head of sales and marketing for English rugby travel, said he was pleased but not entirely surprised by the figures.

"This was always going to be a special event as with the growth of the tournament this could be the last time New Zealand host it," he told Reuters on Wednesday.

"We find that the rugby World Cup is a very different from a soccer World Cup. It is less about the pure match attendance and more inclusive of the whole experience.

"With New Zealand being so far away people have decided to make it a 'once in a lifetime' trip, taking in all the great tourist opportunities on offer alongside the rugby.

"The price is something they have had to work towards. The interest has been high on many fans' agenda for a long time, sales are probably two thirds towards top-end packages.

"They've seen this as a chance to combine it with a RWC and they know New Zealand will deliver a World Cup like no other. The whole country is immersed in the sport."

Comparisons with 2007 could be misleading as so many fans opted for short visits, sometimes several of them, and the best-sellers then were three-day packages.

Nevertheless, the early figures for 2011 certainly indicate that the sport remains in a healthy place and continues to attract fans who can afford the time and the money.

"People say that sports tourism is a growing market but it is not as general as that," said Hopwood. "A lot of our target market are people not necessarily affected by the economic conditions. Those kind of people want an experience for their money and prioritise that possibly over value for money.

"They have been saving towards this for a long time and they want to make memories for a lifetime."

This include the fake packages?? Good news.. lets hope its a sellout

[cambennett]

World Cup already 'our highest grossing event'
By TRACY WATKINS Last updated 05:00 28/04/2010

The Rugby World Cup is already New Zealand's biggest money-making event just a day after ticket sales opened to the public.

Fans flooded an official website calling for applications after it opened yesterday morning and demand had reached nearly 90,000 match tickets in the first six hours.

Rugby New Zealand 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden said the World Cup had overtaken the British and Irish Lions tour in 2005 as our highest grossing event. "The Lions tour grossed $32 million, which is the biggest grossing event New Zealand has ever had. Well, we've hit the $40m mark today."

That included demand for about $16m worth of tickets yesterday and earlier applications from global fans and New Zealand rugby clubs, box holders and season ticket holders.

Mr Snedden said he would be able to better gauge international demand once European buyers logged on overnight.

An official British travel agent reported that sales were 37 per cent ahead of what they were at the same time leading up to the Rugby World Cup in France in 2007.

Mr Snedden said he was confident preparations were on track, with the Eden Park upgrade scheduled to be completed this year.

The Government is preparing to introduce Rugby World Cup empowering legislation this week giving it sweeping powers to over-ride normal processes if required in the leadup to the tournament.

Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully was reluctant to spell out those powers but said it would allow the Government to fast-track decisions where needed. "It will make provisions so that if something unforeseen arises and the timetables in the normal legislation don't accommodate the necessary decision-making, then we'll have a mechanism to deal with it, " he said.

That included normal planning procedures – but he denied the legislation had been drafted to accomodate controversial plans for a party central at Auckland's Queens Wharf.

Meanwhile, there seems to have been high-level unease at the possible impact of liquor law changes on the World Cup. Mr McCully confirmed that he had been given assurances by Justice Minister Simon Power that they would be put on a slow track until after the event. The proposals include earlier closing times, a change to the drinking age and curbs on off-licence sales.

The Government yesterday announced the appointment of rugby legends Jonah Lomu, Sean Fitzpatrick, John Kirwan, David Kirk, Andy Haden and Andrew Mehrtens as World Cup ambassadors