Rainbow’s End announces major attraction during PM’s visit

Media Release Thursday 16 June 2016

Rainbow’s End announces plans for another major attraction during PM’s visit

At an event attended by Prime Minister John Key in his capacity as Minister of Tourism, Rainbow’s End today announced another new attraction to be opened by the end of the year, strengthening its position as New Zealand’s premier theme park and an iconic tourist destination.

To be named “AA Driver’s Town”, the new attraction will enable children aged 5-13 years to experience driving a miniature Suzuki Swift around a colourful, tiny town featuring traffic lights, two-way roads, roundabouts, parking spaces, car wash, petrol station and other landmarks.

Rainbow’s End CEO Chris Deere said having recently added new attractions targeted at younger and older age groups, we wanted to create something new for kids aged 5-13 as part of our ongoing programme of revitalisation and growth.

“Our visitation levels have increased 62 percent over the past five years as a result of our ongoing investment in improving the overall experience for visitors of all ages. We expect the addition of” AA Drivers Town” to contribute to further growth in visitor numbers,” said Mr Deere.

The involvement of The New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) and Suzuki NZ is crucial to the authenticity and appeal of this new attraction, which also includes a unique educational component that schools have already expressed interest in.

Dougal Swift, General Manager AA Membership & Brand said AA hopes the new attraction will encourage positive attitudes to driving.

“We are really excited to work with Rainbow’s End to launch” AA Driver’s Town” later this year, which moves beyond entertainment into educational play in a fun and engaging way. It provides a great opportunity for kids to learn basic road rules, patience and healthy attitudes to driving safely,” said Mr Swift.

Open year-round with ample parking and in close proximity to Auckland Airport and to other entertainment offerings, Rainbow’s End is a great destination for international tourists, and for visitors and residents of Auckland.

Rainbow’s End was recently awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence (April 2016), and late last year received the prestigious 2015 IAAPA Top Family Entertainment Centre of the World Award for Kidz Kingdom, ahead of internationally recognised and world leading entertainment centres.

ENDS

About AA Driver’s Town

• 1,200 sqm driving area with two-way roads, road signs, traffic lights, roundabouts, and other features.

• To be completely covered with a 1,400 sqm roof enabling the facility to be used all year round.

• A fleet of 20 mini replicas of the AA Driving School branded Suzuki Swifts that are seen throughout the community as part of AA’s driver education programme.

• Cars will have an accelerator, brake, steering wheel, indicators and horn.

• Purpose-built educational facility on-site – schools will be able to choose from tailored modules developed in line with the NZ curriculum.

• Emphasis on the Rules of the Road and driving safely.

• The naming rights partner is the AA, with Suzuki NZ as another partner.

About Rainbow’s End

• New Zealand’s premier theme park, operating since 1982.

• Over 20 rides and attractions, including the International award winning Kidz Kingdom for kids aged less than eight years and the recently added, adrenalin-pumping Stratosfear. (2014).

• Employs close to 300 young, enthusiastic and conscientious staff.

© Scoop Media