Tourism New Zealands giant rugby ball will stand on home ground for the first time – alongside The Cloud in the heart of Aucklands party central on Queens Wharf during Rugby World Cup 2011.

The Government and Auckland city today (30.6.11) announced details of the fanzone, festival and showcase that Queen’s Wharf will become during the major event. As well as free entry to the Giant Rugby Ball – the first chance for Kiwis, on home soil, to see the innovative structure that has won worldwide acclaim during global tourism promotions – rugby fans will be able to watch all 48 matches live on several big screens around the fanzone, and enjoy REAL festival events with free concerts by top Kiwi bands. The Cloud Rugby World Cup 2011 Minister Murray McCully and Auckland Mayor Len Brown announced plans and gave media a preview of Queen’s Wharf preparations including a tour of The Cloud, due for completion in July. “The construction work on the wharf is nearing completion, on time and within budget. We can now start to give a better idea of how we will make use of this facility” said McCully. He said Queen’s Wharf would be open every day during RWC 2011 with free access. A series of events will showcase the best of New Zealand business and industry ingenuity and innovation – and there will be top class entertainment. Giant Rugby Ball The homecoming of the giant rugby ball is expected to be of major interest to New Zealanders, as well as international visitors, having already created a stir in Paris, London, Tokyo and Sydney. It was first erected under the Eiffel Tower for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, and has been used to raise the profile of New Zealand as a visitor destination in the lead up to this years tournament. The innovative design of the 25-metre long and 13-metre high rugby ball – which uses clever audio visual technology to take people on a virtual voyage through New Zealand – has attracted interest from international media and the public in each high profile destination. REAL Festival hub Mr McCully says the ball is a welcome addition to Queen’s Wharf which will be the event hub of the REAL New Zealand Festival during the tournament. Live music will be one of the features of the entertainment and bands confirmed so far include Opshop, The Feelers, The Black Seeds, Katchafire, Don McGlashan, Greg Johnson, Bella Kalolo, Moana and the Tribe, Tami Neilson and I Am Giant. Mayor Len Brown says Aucklanders and visitors alike should plan to make Queen’s Wharf the centre of their RWC 2011 plans. “From the homecoming of the phenomenal Giant Rugby Ball to the fanzone and the wealth of entertainment, there will be something for everybody.” Shed 10 The Mayor said the Queen’s Wharf daily programme will be built around the tournaments 48 matches. Shed 10 will be the heart of the fanzone, but the wharfs flexible spaces will see the fanzone expand outdoors and into The Cloud for the tournaments biggest matches. “Queen’s Wharf will be the countrys biggest official fanzone and the best place in New Zealand to watch the matches live on screen,” said Brown. The Queen’s Wharf entertainment programme will be focused around weekends during pool play and the programme intensifies during the school holidays, with special events from the Quarter Finals to the Final weekend. Festival atmosphere RWC 2011 sponsors will add to the festival atmosphere on the wharf. ANZ is creating The ANZ World, a 16-metre high, purpose built structure open to the public every day and using the latest technology and entertainment, to offer a “unique and engaging interactive experience”. A Heineken Experience in the avenue side of nearby Shed 10 will include a bar and entertainment which organisers say is fresh from the Champions League Finals Festival in Hyde Park, London. A Brancott Estate wine bar will be located inside The Cloud, showcasing the award-winning range and offering wine tastings with expert winemakers. DHL, the official logistics partner of RWC 2011, will have an interactive exhibition zone giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at Rugby World Cup and providing a challenge to fans, with gaming activities and simulated experiences that will appeal to adults and children. The full six-week programme for Queen’s Wharf and The Cloud for the period from 9 September to 23 October, will be announced in August.

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