Media Release

Converting Rugby World Cup 2011 opportunities for Auckland

9 September 2009

Today marks two years until Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) kicks off and to mark the milestone Auckland has unveiled its ‘tight five’ legacy goals for the Tournament.

The Auckland region has launched 2011 and beyond – Auckland’s Rugby World Cup Legacy a plan which outlines the major long-term benefits the Tournament will deliver for Auckland.

The plan identifies five central ambitions for the region, known as Auckland’s “tight five” legacy goals, and outlines the projects designed to contribute to these outcomes.

The “tight five” goals are:
• Making the most of Auckland’s waterfront
• Telling the world Auckland’s story
• Taking pride in our place
• Making public transport a habit for Aucklanders
• Positioning Auckland as a major events destination

Auckland’s RWC 2011 regional spokesperson Michael Barnett says it’s critical to be clear about what we aim to achieve and how we will get there if Auckland is to truly reap the benefits on offer from RWC 2011.

“This event is much bigger than Rugby and we need to ensure that we deliver on our five goals so that Rugby World Cup 2011 leaves a positive legacy for us all.”

RWC 2011 will generate up to $267 million of direct economic benefits for Auckland, but Barnett says the long-term benefits will live on well beyond the Tournament.

“Greater public access to the waterfront, more tourism expenditure and business investment, greater capacity to host major events and improved public transport are worthy goals for us all.”

Chair of Auckland’s RWC 2011 Regional Steering Group Rachael Dacy says significant milestones like today are also a chance to reflect on what’s been achieved so far.

“We’ve secured funding from across the region to deliver the RWC 2011 programme, and the Tournament organisers recognise that Auckland is leading the way nationally in preparing for the event.”

“If you look around Auckland you’ll see Eden Park’s redevelopment charging ahead, a revamped Morningside rail station that opened last month and we’ve just kicked off our development of Queens Wharf as the event’s main festival site.”

Today marks exactly two years until the opening match of RWC 2011 between the All Blacks and Tonga at Eden Park.

To celebrate this milestone, former All Blacks joined pupils from Gladstone School in an event in downtown Auckland featuring a Rippa Rugby game on a mini field and plenty of giveaways.

The milestone also saw one lucky pupil presented with a limited edition rugby ball by 1987 Rugby World Cup-winning All Black Grant Fox.

The ball was the first of 24 limited edition balls to mark the 24 months between now and the Tournament. A limited edition ball will be presented each month in the lead up to the event to build Auckland’s Team 2011 and tell the story of Auckland’s preparation for the event.

The 24 recipients of the limited edition rugby balls will be involved in Auckland's opening celebrations on 9 September 2011. One lucky ball recipient will also win two tickets to the opening match between the All Blacks and Tonga at Eden Park.

For more information on Auckland’s preparations for RWC 2011 or to see a summary of the legacy plan visit www.auckland2011.com

ENDS

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