6 October 2009
NZ Breakers , NZ Blacksox and other sports coverage proves Maori Television up to the job
Coverage of the North Shore based New Zealand Breakers basketball team and the NZ Blacksox softball team by Maori
Television proves that they are up to the job of providing free-to-air coverage of the Rugby World Cup, North Shore City
Mayor Andrew Williams said today.
“North Shore City is enormously proud to be the home of the Breakers and the television coverage of both the home and
away games by Maori Television is appreciated by our sports-minded community. We get a great turn out for the home games
at the North Shore Events Centre, but without Maori Television the local fans and supporters throughout New Zealand
would miss seeing the coverage of away games when they are provided by the Australian broadcasters,” North Shore City
Mayor Andrew Williams said today.
“Maori Television also covered the New Zealand Blacksox in the International Softball Federation Oceania qualifier
tournament last year held at Rosedale Park in Albany on the North Shore. They have helped put softball on the map with
excellent coverage of this popular Kiwi sport.”
“North Shore City goes to great lengths to attract major sporting events to showcase our area’s wonderful sporting
facilities and we have a great track record of rolling out the red carpet for major sports events, and gaining
television coverage is the icing on the cake of their success.”
“Our city has been successful in attracting three Rugby World Cup 2011 pool games and will host teams including the
current South African world champions and the exciting French team.”
“Although the decision on which broadcaster will win the free-to-air coverage rights is up to the Rugby World Cup
organisers, as Mayor I appreciate the support we have had from Maori Television for our North Shore sporting events and
fully support their right to contest the bidding process,” Mayor Andrew Williams said.
Mayor Williams also said that many in the local North Shore community had commented to him favourably about Maori
Television’s coverage of the late Sir Howard Morrison’s passing , their exemplary ANZAC Day coverage including
Gallipoli and the Vietnam Tribute '08 ceremonies , which is often mentioned by people at local North Shore RSAs.
"I also know that Maori Television will use the significant opportunities leading up to and during the Rugby World Cup
coverage to highlight New Zealand tourism, our natural environment, our cultures, economic growth, and the true Kiwi
spirit of our nation. I'm sure they will approach it in the same highly professional way as these other examples of top
class major sports, cultural and historicevents. They will leverage a broad range of aspects from the coverage and the
result will reflect well on RWC2011." says Mayor Williams.
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