Rugby World Cup announcement welcomed by Manukau

Manukau residents will have plenty of opportunities to see a Rugby World Cup game or get involved in the cup atmosphere, says Manukau City Council.

The council is welcoming yesterday’s announcement of the venues for Rugby World Cup 2011 pool games. Eden Park will have five pool matches, including the opening game

Manukau City Council Thriving Economy Portfolio Leader Arthur Anae says the announcement confirms that the Auckland region will be the hub of the world cup with the final, semi-finals and eight pool matches including the opening game.

“Rugby New Zealand 2011 has managed the allocation of games brilliantly. The games have been spread fairly throughout the country.

“Although Manukau isn’t hosting any games because we don’t have a stadium there will be lots of opportunities to see a game. Manukau is the Pacific capital of the world so we’re really optimistic that we’ll be hosting a team from the Pacific. Manukau people would adopt them as their own and create a great atmosphere.

“There’s also going to be a great buzz in the lead-up and during the world cup which Manukau people will get caught up in. We’re the gateway to Auckland and New Zealand so we’ll be the welcoming party for world cup visitors,” Cr Anae says.

He says the increased number of visitors to New Zealand will have major spin-offs for Manukau businesses, which are well represented in the tourism economy.

“The event has the potential to generate up to $315 million of direct economic benefits for Auckland, which Manukau should get a significant share of. So we have to capitalise on this opportunity because it will flow through to all parts of our economy,” Cr Anae says.

Manukau City Council is a key partner in the Auckland region’s preparations for Rugby World Cup 2011. The collaborative effort by key organisations across the entire region includes representatives from all Auckland councils, Tourism Auckland, Auckland Regional Transport Authority, Transit New Zealand, Auckland International Airport, On Track NZ, Eden Park, Auckland’s three rugby unions, and all match and training venues.

Later this year Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd will decide where teams will be based and where training venues will be. As part of the Auckland bid, Manukau is offering the Papatoetoe and Pakuranga rugby clubs as training venues, a live site for people to watch games on a big screen and a range of supporting events so the community can be part of the world cup excitement.