All-star headliners for Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone

MEDIA RELEASE

6 June 2017

All-star headliners for Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone as Auckland set to welcome the British & Irish Lions

Top Kiwi musicians, kapa haka champions, rising stars to rock rugby fans
SUMMARY

• A collaboration between an all-star line-up of New Zealand musicians headlines the entertainment programme at the Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone.

• The fanzone is the Auckland hub for the DHL New Zealand Lions Series and the nationwide Rugby 2017 Festival.

• Acts also include rising Kiwi stars, Te Matatini kapa haka champions and the Welsh Male Choir.

• Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone kicks off on Friday 23 June at 8am. Opening days and times vary, and are available at www.aucklandnz.com/fanzone and www.rugby2017festival.com

• Tickets are available for the Blues v The British & Irish Lions at Eden Park tomorrow night: www.nzlionsseries17.com

As Eden Park prepares for the Blues to take on the British & Irish Lions, an all-star line-up of New Zealand musicians has been confirmed as the centrepiece of the Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone, ready to rock the fans during the Tests phase of the DHL New Zealand Lions Series.

New Zealand music doyenne Annie Crummer is joining forces with Che Fu, Opshop’s Jason Kerrison, and Ardijah’s Betty-Anne Monga on stage at the fanzone on Friday 30 June, performing their biggest hits.

Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone is the Auckland hub for the Series and the nationwide Rugby 2017 Festival, showcasing New Zealand culture, kicking off from Friday 23 June.

The first Auckland match of the Series is tomorrow when the Blues take on the British & Irish Lions at Eden Park and features award winning band, Kings as pre-match entertainment. Tickets are still available from usual outlets and online at www.nzlionsseries17.com.

During the Test match phase of the Series, Queens Wharf will be home to a programme of free entertainment including match screenings, live performances, exhibitions, family-friendly activities and appearances from rugby personalities, with food and drink for sale.

The programme includes rising young Māori stars TEEKS and iTunes sensation Maimoa Music; Motor City Family Funk Motown band; New Zealand’s best kapa haka rōpū in conjunction with Matariki Festival 2017 and Te Matatini; stunning historic rugby photographs in the Hard on the Heels exhibition by New Zealand’s leading rugby photographer Peter Bush; and the DHL Dome displaying a selection of NZ Rugby trophies.

Annie Crummer, named in yesterday’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List as a Member of the Zealand Order of Merit for services to music, says the ‘dream team’ of musicians, who have always wanted to work together, will pay tribute to musical icons who have passed on.

“The first half of the show is made up of each of our own songs, and it’s hit after hit with this lot. Then we honour those we have recently lost, such as George Michael and Prince. These legends, their songs live through us, have made such an impact on our styles, and on the world. The Lions Series is a brilliant chance to share and celebrate this music.”

Mayor of Auckland Phil Goff says the city comes alive for the Lions.

“Auckland gets a chance to show off everything that makes our city such a great place to live, and to celebrate the talent and creativity we have here. The Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone programme gives Aucklanders and visitors the chance to share the excitement of the Series and check out some of New Zealand’s top performers.”

Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone highlights include:

• Friday 23 June, 8am: Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone opens, with a host of activities in the build-up to the first Test.

• Sunday 25 June, 12pm: Choir Day, with the Welsh Male Choir and others.

• Friday 30 June, 8pm: All-star line-up of New Zealand musicians - Annie Crummer, Che Fu, Jason Kerrison and Betty Anne Monga performing their biggest hits plus songs from late superstars David Bowie, Prince, George Michael and more.

• Saturday 1 July, 12pm: Te Taumata Kapa Haka, in conjunction with Matariki Festival. Thrilling, live performances by New Zealand’s leading kapa haka groups including 2017 Te Matatini champions Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti together with runners-up Te Waka Huia and leading groups Ngā Tūmanako, Te Mātārae i Orehu, Te Whānau a Apanui, and Te Wharekura o Hoani Waititi, which will represent Tāmaki Makaurau at the Secondary Schools National Competition in 2018. A rare opportunity to see a showcase of the very best kapa haka in the world.

• Saturday 1 July, 6pm: Fresh, young Māori performers TEEKS and iTunes sensation Maimoa Music, with rising kapa haka stars.

• Friday 7 July, 8pm: Motor City Family Funk Motown band.

• Fanzone open days: Two photographic exhibitions, by New Zealand’s leading rugby photographer Peter Bush, and long-time press photographer Barry Durrant.

• Fanzone open days: DHL Dome, featuring New Zealand’s staggering array of rugby trophies together in one place, including the Webb Ellis Trophy (the Rugby World Cup) on display 6-8 July.

• Match screenings will include the three Test matches live, Hurricanes v The British & Irish Lions live, as well as replays of classic matches.

• *CLOSED* Please note that Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone will be closed on Mon 26 June, Wed 28 June, Thu 29 June, Mon 3 July, Tue 4 July and Wed 5 July.

For Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone opening days and times, a full programme and details of regional fanzones, go to aucklandnz.com/fanzone. For more information about everything in the Rugby 2017 Festival, go to rugby2017festival.com. For tickets to the Blues v The British & Irish Lions match, go to www.nzlionsseries17.com/

NOTES TO EDITOR

• ATEED led Auckland’s bid to secure NZR home international fixtures in 2016/17, working alongside other regional partners including the Auckland Rugby Union, North Harbour Rugby Union, Counties Manukau Rugby Union, the Blues, Regional Facilities Auckland, Auckland Transport and Eden Park to secure a package of fixtures.

• This collaborative approach resulted in Auckland securing All Blacks matches against Wales and Australia in 2016; two tests and one Blues match for the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017; and the All Blacks against South Africa in September 2017.

• ATEED is working with stakeholders across Auckland to ensure the city is positioned and prepared to make the most of this opportunity and the visitors it will bring.

• In addition to the Queens Wharf Rugby Fanzone, a second regional Fanzone will operate for each of the Test matches of the Series, in west, south and north Auckland respectively.

• Auckland’s famous Fan Trail will be up and running for the first and third Test matches of the Series.

• Auckland’s activities are part of the Rugby 2017 Festival and are being delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), on behalf of Auckland Council, in association with central government.

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