Destination Auckland

This programme aims to develop the region as a global destination and major events location. It supports work already planned or underway to ensure that in preparing for and hosting the Rugby World Cup 2011 the region captures the full potential of the event. The aim is to create an ongoing legacy across economic, social, cultural and environmental components of the event to equip the Auckland region as a global visitor and events destination.

Significant initiative

The Auckland region will play a key role in hosting the Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011). Eden Park has been confirmed as the host for both the semi-finals and final games and the wider Auckland region is likely to play host to a number of teams and pool matches throughout the tournament. There is a valuable legacy to be leveraged from this hosting role.

Connected initiatives

Since the government and the New Zealand Rugby Union secured the hosting rights for the RWC 2011, both central and local government have been planning and preparing to host the event. These initiatives reflect the commitment to align national and regional RWC workstreams.

  • Tourism/visitor services: to develop an Auckland specific tourism campaign and associated visitor services. Align these with other programmes such as Tourism New Zealand's international campaigns. Support the opportunity for local and regional Māori tourism operators to showcase quality Māori designs and destinations. 
  • Economic development: to work with Auckland businesses to maximise commercial opportunities from the RWC 2011 - including preparing businesses for the event and working with central government to promote the provision of skills development in key shortage areas affecting the RWC 2011 (hospitality, retail, construction and trades).
  • Venues and unions: to scope of potential match and training and facilities.        
  • Sport, health and wellbeing: to use the RWC 2011 as an opportunity to promote sport, health and wellbeing throughout the Auckland region.                      
  • Transport: to include the delivery of the RWC 2011 traffic management plans and integrated ticketing plans, infrastructure improvements and passenger transport initiatives.                                                                                           
  • Regulatory: to ensure that the delivery of the RWC 2011 and its ancillary events complies with regional and national regulatory requirements.                 
  • Environmental sustainability: development of a regional environmental framework for the games including support for any potential national programmes.             
  • Ancillary events: to support potential national initiatives such as a RWC 2011 Cultural Programme, contribution to the "Stadium of 4 Million" rugby festival initiative and the delivery of ancillary events.                                                                   
  • Showcasing the region's culture: through events such as "Atamira - Māori in the City" to showcase Māori as the indigenous face of New Zealand through a world class event displaying unique cultural and artistic expressions through whakairo, taa moko, raranga, kapa haka, waiata, art, innovation, food, fashion and film. This event will also highlight the positive participation of Māori in sport as a tangible example of Māori engagement and achievement at regional, national and international levels. 
  • Community engagement: to support potential national initiatives such as the official RWC 2011 volunteer programme, education programme and Māori heritage and culture, as well as the regional delivery of community engagement programmes.                                                                                      
  • Programme support: communications, regional mapping (including spatial mapping system) and research.

Funding and timelines

Central and local government are both currently developing workstreams around hosting the RWC 2011. All Auckland territorial local authorities and relevant regional organisations have been considering their total programme and financial commitment. This includes $7.4m of projects and activities provided as a regional programme. This programme will be submitted to Rugby NZ 2011 Ltd as part of the nationwide match and team allocation process with proposals and allocations made during 2008 and the first half of 2009.

Each authority's proposed funding contribution will be subject to the 2009 Long Term Council Community Plan process. Central government has contributed already through support for the event bid and the initial contribution to tournament costs, and will also identify future contributions later in 2008 or early 2009. 

The following funds have been identified by central and local government for
redevelopments associated with Eden Park and other RWC 2011 infrastructure projects across the region: $32m from Auckland City Council (of which $22m is for the Eden Park Precinct) and $10m from the Auckland Regional Council (for Eden Park redevelopment). Central government has committed to underwriting the redevelopment to the value of $190m.

Partner agencies

Local government: Auckland City Council, Franklin District Council, Manukau City Council, North ShoreCity Council, Papakura District Council, Rodney District Council, Waitakere City Council
Regional government: Auckland Regional Council
Central government: Rugby World Cup 2011 Government Coordination Office (within Ministry of Economic Development) leading coordination across government of the 25 agencies involved in Rugby World Cup planning
Other partner agencies: Auckland Regional Council/Auckland Regional Transport Authority, Eden Park, Mt Smart Stadium, New Zealand Rugby Union, Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd, North Harbour Stadium, Regional Rugby Unions, Regional Rugby World Cup 2011 Steering Group, The Eden Park Redevelopment Board, Tourism Auckland.

Supporting Documents