Media Release

18 July 2008

Bid for more Rugby World Cup games supported by Manukau

Making the Auckland region the hub of Rugby World Cup 2011 would have major spin-offs for Manukau, says Manukau City Council.

The council is a key partner in the region’s proposal to host two quarter finals and the bronze (third and fourth play-off) final. Manukau is also offering to host a live site showing finals games in one of the city’s major parks.

The proposal was submitted to tournament organisers Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) yesterday (Thursday) as part of a nationally competitive process.

The next stage of the process will involve bids being submitted by 31 October to host teams and pool matches.

Manukau City Council Thriving Economy Portfolio Leader Arthur Anae says having more major matches in the Auckland region would have a number of benefits for Manukau.

“Manukau is the gateway to Auckland and New Zealand so we will be the welcoming party for world cup visitors.

“With more games in the Auckland region it will become the hub of the Rugby World Cup, offering Manukau more opportunities to showcase our unique city to the world. It also means Manukau residents will be more likely to be able to go to a game.

“The increased number of visitors will have major spin-offs for Manukau businesses, which are well represented in the tourism economy. Tourism contributes approximately $750m GDP to the Manukau economy each year and the Rugby World Cup offers us the chance to increase that,” Cr Anae says.

“We’re looking forward to the next round of bids where Manukau will be hoping to get the right to host teams and have them training here.

“With our diverse population there are a number of teams that Manukau could host and adopt their players as our own.

“The joint proposal shows how closely the region’s councils, rugby unions, sporting venues, Tourism Auckland and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) have been working together to make sure the world cup will be a success for Auckland,” Cr Anae says.

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