The magnificent Sevens to march through the town

It’s going to be a hectic few days over Waitangi weekend – not only will our national day’s celebrations be in full swing, but the NZI Rugby Sevens kicks off that same day at Westpac Stadium.

Rugby-loving revellers will descend upon the city from all over the country – some of whom will arrive in time for the parade on Thursday 5 February so they can watch the teams walk along Lambton Quay to Civic Square.

The Council’s Recreation and Events Portfolio Leader, Councillor John Morrison, says Wellingtonians will be spoilt for choice over that weekend.

“Whoever manages to go to the Waitangi Day celebrations, heads straight to the Sevens for a couple of nights’ partying and rounds the weekend off by catching the Chinese New Year parade deserves a medal in my book,” he says.

In order to give Sevens spectators a bit of room to carry on the revelry on Saturday 7 February, Courtenay Place will become ‘party central’ with the help of some road closures.

The street will be closed to through traffic – including buses and taxis – from 5pm that day, and will reopen at 6am on the Sunday morning.

There will be temporary bus stops on Wakefield and Taranaki streets, and temporary taxi stands on Wakefield Street between Blair and Allen streets. People will also be able to get a cab home at the end of the night from Cambridge Terrace between Courtenay Place and Tennyson Street.

As soon as the Waitangi Day celebrations are over at Waitangi Park, the big screen will come alive with Sevens action, live from Westpac Stadium. And after the last game of the Sevens, Led Zeppelin fans will be congregating near the Cambridge Terrace end of Courtenay Place to catch a rendition of A Whole Lotta Love, among other classics, by tribute band A Whole Lotta Led. The gig will kick off at around 10.15pm.

And don’t forget – the liquor ban will remain throughout the central city over the Sevens weekend. Anyone wanting an alcoholic drink will find plenty of bars and restaurants in the Courtenay Place area to cater to their needs.

ENDS

© Scoop Media