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The Eiffel Tower, one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, was today joined by the world’s largest inflatable rugby ball.

The official unveiling of New Zealand’s rugby Ball – that measures 25 metres long and 12 metres high – took place this morning in Paris at the foot of the Eiffel Tower at le Champ de Mars during sunrise.

New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, officially declared the giant rugby Ball ‘open’ to kick-off New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup 2011 campaign.

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Other officials who attended include Paris Deputy Mayor, Mr Pascal Cherki, Michel Dumont Mayor of the 7th Arondissement, Sarah Dennis, New Zealand Ambassador in France. There was also a strong international media contingent including TV5 Monde, TF1, Phoenix Satellite TV France, APT, France Inter and RTL radio, eight print media including papers and magazines, Reuters, AFP, European Press Society and online media.

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Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive George Hickton says he was delighted that the City of Paris had given New Zealand the opportunity to have such a high profile in one of the world’s most famous locations.

“This has given us the opportunity to profile 100% Pure New Zealand, the second most well known New Zealand brand after the All Blacks, in a key international environment.”

“We want to tell international rugby fans that a trip to RWC 2011 is a trip to rugby heaven. And to show that as well as rugby they will have a unique tourism experience no matter where they, or their team, are staying and playing throughout New Zealand.”

New Zealanders working at the ball will also be promoting New Zealand as a place to work and do business with.

As part of the official opening New Zealand singer, Hinewehi Mohi, and the Rangimarie Kapa Haka group performed a haka (Maori war dance) and a Maori cultural blessing of the Ball.

The Ball gives visitors a taste of what they can expect when they travel to New Zealand and showcases the country’s creative talent, stunning landscape and innovative technology.

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A spectacular audio visual covers the entire ceiling and walls of the Ball, and the technology required to project on the oval surface is a world first.

The Ball can hold 200 people at a time, and more than 40,000 visitors are expected to see inside it during the last two weeks of the Rugby World Cup 2007 in France. It will be used as a venue for corporate hosting in the evening, serving New Zealand wine and food.

There will be free entry to the public from October 6th until October 21st – the day after the Rugby World Cup in France comes to an end.

People visiting Paris during the Rugby World Cup will be able to learn and experience first hand Maori cultural traditions including songs (waiata) and haka as they enter the Ball by the Eiffel Tower.

The Rugby Ball project involves Tourism New Zealand, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Labour.

ENDS

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