Media release

3 March 2015

Auckland glows during unrivalled weekend

An unrivalled weekend of sporting and cultural events in Auckland came together seamlessly with stunning weather and international recognition for our diverse line-up.

A packed Eden Park enjoyed the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 match between Australia and New Zealand, thousands enjoyed the stunning sight of the Volvo Ocean Race yachts entering Auckland harbour and the colourful Lantern Festival celebrated our multicultural community.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) Chief Executive, Brett O’Riley, says the impressive line-up builds on the success of the 2013/14 year and brings us closer to transforming Auckland into the world’s most liveable city.

“Staging three major events all in one weekend has its logistical challenges, but we’re delighted with the success of each event, showcasing Auckland’s vibrancy with thousands of Kiwis and international visitors enjoying these incredible world-class fixtures.”

“Auckland’s hosting of the four ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 matches is projected to inject 95,958 visitor nights and $18.86 million into the Auckland economy and the Volvo Ocean Race stopover 16,720 visitor nights and $6.66 million to the economy,” Brett O’Riley says.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown attended all three events and described the weekend of astounding major fixtures as “Auckland unrivalled”.

More than 40,000 cricket fans enjoyed Saturday’s match between New Zealand and Australia with just over 40 per cent travelling to and from Eden Park by train or bus.

“The Auckland Fanzone in the Britomart Precinct is one of the stars of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 with thousands enjoying Saturday’s match and other matches live on the big screen since the Fanzone opened on 14 February. The walking Fan Trail, directing fans to Eden Park from the central city, was also popular on Saturday,” Len Brown says.

New lanterns from Auckland’s sister cities of Ningbo and Guangzhou added to the atmosphere at Auckland Lantern Festival which lit up Albert Park to celebrate Chinese zodiac Year of the Goat – also known as Year of the Sheep – symbolising great peace, harmonious co-existence and tranquillity.

It’s estimated that up to 200,000 people attended the four day festival, now in its 16th year, which finished with a spectacular fireworks display from the Sky Tower.

Auckland, the world’s premier sailing capital, welcomed the Volvo Ocean Race’s 65s fleet as the official stopover with around 59,000 people enjoying the racing spirit at Auckland Viaduct over the weekend.

The Viaduct has been transformed into the vibrant Volvo Ocean Race Village for the 17 day stopover. Up to 400,000 people are expected to visit the village which includes an interactive race experience zone, creating a unique insight into life on board during the race.

Auckland’s non-stop summer continues this month with events including the Volvo Ocean Race Heineken Pro-Am Races (12-13 March) and the NZ Herald In-Port Race

(14 March), Pasifika Festival at Hayman Park (14-15 March), The Eagles at Mt Smart Stadium (14-15 March) The Ultimate Waterman (14-21 March), the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Semi-Final (24 March) and the Barfoot & Thompson ITU World Champs Series (28-29 March).

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Whilst it’s estimated that up to 200,000 people attended the Lantern Festival, unique visitors will be lower, as numbers are based on gate movements. Repeat visitation in the same evening is estimated to be 10 per cent. Final post event visitor evaluation will be available in due course.

• The Volvo Ocean Race Village is open until 15 March from Sunday–Wednesday 09:00am – 21:00pm, andThursday – Sunday 09:00-22:00pm. The fleet departs on 15 March. For further information visitwww.volvooceanraceauckland.com.

• Auckland hosts three more ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 matches South Africa verses Pakistan (7 March), India verses Zimbabwe (March 14), and the Semi-Final (24 March).

• The ICC CWC 2015 Auckland Fanzone is open daily on ICC CWC 2015 match days until 29 March at Takutai Square, Britomart. For more information on the Fanzone and Fan Trail visit www.aucklandnz.com/cwc2015.

• The ICC CWC 2015 Auckland Fan Trail runs from the city centre to Eden Park, and will be in operation on the two remaining weekend Auckland games (March 7 and March 14), and as a marked route for the Semi Final on 24 March.

© Scoop Media