7 July 2017

Huge weekend ahead for Auckland

Auckland is turning on the excitement and entertainment as The British & Irish Lions return to the region for the third and final test match in the DHL New Zealand Lions Series.

Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone is the place to be Friday, 7 and Saturday, 8 July, with live screenings of the final test, the best of local funk to party along to, family-friendly activities, legendary rugby trophies on display (including the Webb Ellis Cup) in the DHL Dome, plus food and drink for sale.

From 6-7pm tonight (Friday, 7 July), journalist and former Black Fern, Melodie Robinson chats to British & Irish Lions player James Haskell, Māori All Black and Blues player Kara Pryor, broadcaster Martin Tasker and Emirates Team New Zealand member Joe Sullivan.

Queens Wharf will rock with the sounds of Motor City Family Funk, the funkiest local band to celebrate with, from 8pm; and DJ Rivers Awarau is on at 7-8pm and 10-11pm.

On Saturday, 8 July, fans looking to watch the third and final test live have two choices of fanzones – Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone or the North Rugby Fanzone at the North Shore Events Centre, and for match-goers, Auckland’s Fan Trail between Queens Wharf and Eden Park will be buzzing with free entertainment and activities.

On Queens Wharf, entertainment and activities run from 11am-11pm, with entertainment and family-friendly activities, including giant inflatables, rugby photographic exhibitions and the DHL Dome Trophy exhibition, with the Webb Ellis Trophy proudly on display. Food and drink will be on sale, and the fanzone has licensed and alcohol-free areas, including the family zone upstairs in Shed 10.

The North Shore Events Centre will be transformed into the North Rugby Fanzone, from 6-10pm, showing the third test match live on the big screen, with family-friendly activities including face-painting, giant inflatables and Matariki arts and crafts. Food and drink will be for sale.

Fans travelling to the match can take Auckland’s famous Fan Trail, a 4.2km walking route from Queens Wharf to Eden Park filled with free entertainment and fun activities, with more than 110 street performers including fire dancers and circus performers, drag artistes, Celtic and samba drummers, kapa haka, live music and face painting.

Auckland’s activities for the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 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.

What’s on:

Friday, 7 July

8am-11pm Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone, with entertainment and family-friendly activities.

6pm Melodie Robinson chats to British & Irish Lions James Haskell, Māori All Black and Blues player Kara Pryor, broadcaster Martin Tasker and Emirates Team New Zealand member Joe Sullivan.

7pm DJ Rivers Awarau

8-10pm The perfect celebration party band Motor City Family Funk.

10-11pm DJ Rivers Awarau

Saturday, 8 July

11am-11pm Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone, with entertainment and family-friendly activities, including giant inflatables, rugby photographic exhibitions and the DHL Dome Trophy exhibition.

4-7.35pm Auckland Fan Trail, 4.2km walking route from Queens Wharf to Eden Park, filled with free entertainment and fun activities.

7.35pm Watch the All Blacks v The British & Irish Lions third Test match live on the big screen at Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone.

6-10pm North Rugby Fanzone at the North Shore Events Centre, Wairau, has the third test match live on the big screen, family-friendly activities including face-painting, giant inflatables and Matariki arts and crafts. Food and drink will be for sale.

(3pm onwards Quay St will be closed between Albert and Commerce Streets)

• For more information about Auckland’s Fanzones, go to www.aucklandnz.com/fanzone. For more information about everything in the Rugby 2017 Festival, go to rugby2017festival.com.

Travelling to the game:

• Travel on trains and special events buses is included with pre-purchased game tickets and starts 4 hours (for trains) and three hours (for special events buses) before kick-off and finishes when services end that evening.

• Or walk the Auckland Fan Trail from Queens Wharf to Eden Park. Allow a couple of hours to walk the Fan Trail to make the most of the free entertainment, fun activities and food, water and coffee giveaways. If you don’t fancy the whole route, the corner of Ponsonby and Great North Roads is a popular starting point.

• This is Auckland – the weather is changeable – bring a raincoat and extra warm layers, grab a free coffee or rain poncho on the Fan Trail.

• For more information about the Auckland Fan Trail, go to www.aucklandnz.com/fantrail and for more information about taking public transport to the game, go to www.at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/events/dhl-new-zealand-lions-series-2017/

ends

© Scoop Media