News release
10 July 2015

Council welcomes announcement of Lions v Maori All Blacks match for Rotorua

Rotorua Lakes Council believes Rotorua residents, businesses and sports fans will be excited to learn their city has been chosen by Rugby New Zealand to host a British & Irish Lions fixture against the Maori All Blacks on the Lions’ 2017 New Zealand tour.

The match is to be played at Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday 17 June 2017

Councillor Charles Sturt, who leads the council’s Sport and Recreation Portfolio, said he was thrilled that a collaborative effort by council staff and the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union had been successful in securing a key match for Rotorua on the Lions’ tour.

“We all remember the hugely successful 2005 Lions tour when Rotorua International Stadium was a total sell-out, and we fully expect that to happen again for this match.

“Securing a Saturday game will ensure fans from around New Zealand will descend on Rotorua in force. And being a mid-tour fixture means international Lions’ supporter tour groups already in the country, will also come here, virtually guaranteeing the match to be a success. This is going to be great for Rotorua.”

Destination Rotorua’s Events and Venues general manager, Peter McLeod, said Rotorua’s reputation for successfully hosting sporting fixtures had undoubtedly played a big part in Rotorua being allocated a key match.

“Rotorua delivers on these big occasions and we will do so again in 2017. I’m especially thrilled that Rotorua, as the centre of Maori culture and tourism, will get to host the Maori All Blacks match.”

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive, Mike Rogers, was also upbeat following the announcement.

“Securing a major fixture in the Bay of Plenty is a truly significant achievement, given how sought-after this game was.

“The match is effectively the unofficial fourth test, and for our rugby supporters and wider Bay of Plenty community to have the opportunity to host such a game is very special.

“It’s important that I acknowledge the tremendous support of the Rotorua Lakes Council team working closely with Bay of Plenty Rugby to enable us to achieve this really positive outcome for our community.”

In addition to hosting the Lions v Maori All Blacks match, Rotorua Lakes Council will be organising a host city celebration to support the game, so all residents and visitors can experience the excitement of the Lions tour.

Mr McLeod said detailed plans were expected to be announced over coming months.

“However, activities are likely to include dressing-up the city for the big occasion, fan zones like those established for RWC 2011, and fan trails for people heading to the stadium. There will also be a host of rugby-related activities going on around the city so we can all join in and experience the vibrancy and fun of the British and Irish Lions tour,” he said.

-ENDS-

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