Christchurch’s beautiful Hagley Park has seen many iconic New Zealand events ranging from flower shows to open-air concerts, but we daresay the events to come might just outshine everything else. North Hagley Park has just been approved as the events village and Fanzone for the Rugby World Cup 2011.
A temporary entertainment village will be set up in North Hagley Park and host key events of the nationwide REAL NZ RWC 2011 Festival, including the Christchurch Arts Festival and the Body Festival. The events village will also support other events such as the International Jazz Festival, the TV2 Kids Fest and two of Christchurch’s most iconic annual events, the New Zealand Cup and Show Week in November and the World Buskers Festival in January. And North Hagley Park will also be part of Christchurch’s official RWC 2011 Fanzone where rugby fans from all over the world will meet up.
"We may no longer have any RWC 2011 games in Christchurch but that doesn't mean we can’t have fun, support the All Blacks and also be great hosts for the international visitors that will join us in the Fanzone, celebrating the games and the tournament," Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says. "I am also pleased we have managed to put together a programme for east Christchurch people with a travelling Fanzone that each weekend during the tournament will visit a new east Christchurch venue with music, entertainment and live rugby."
Mayor Bob Carter adds: "There are a great number of events which will still be happening in Christchurch during RWC 2011 and we're pleased the city will be a part of the excitement of the tournament."
Some highlights of the Christchurch REAL NZ Festival include the World of WearableArt Icons on Tour, Methven Rodeo and the Australia New Zealand Continental Cup. The word is out – the Rugby World Cup 2011 will be big in the Garden City of Christchurch!