As the country prepares for the Rugby World Cup, Herald writer John Roughan looks at how towns around New Zealand are preparing to host the tournament.
Northland has a catchcry for the Rugby World Cup: "Paint it Red". The region will be hosting three teams during the tournament and all of them play in red.
Canada will arrive late on September 4 to a welcome at Kerikeri Airport and be given a proper powhiri the next
morning. They will stay in the Bay of Islands for seven days to prepare for their first match, against Tonga on September 14. The Tongan team, meanwhile, will have arrived in the Bay of Islands to recover from playing the opening match of the World Cup against the All Blacks at Eden Park.
In the Far North, the team will find a Polynesian festival under way and plenty of support from the many Tongans in the horticultural regions of Kerikeri and Dargaville. By the time Tonga and Canada come to play in Whangarei, Canada too should have found a keen Northland connection.
Many of the Scots who migrated to New Zealand in the 19th century went first to Nova Scotia, and their descendants at Waipu retain links with those whose ancestors stayed in Canada.
Destination Northland officials have been in Canada promoting tour packages around the World Cup.
Northland Rugby Union is planning a golden oldies tournament to coincide with the main event, and Kawakawa is considering a sevens tournament.
Two days after the Canadian team leave Northland, the region's third "red" team arrive.
The Japanese, with an expected 3000 to 5000 travelling supporters, will join Tonga in the Bay of Islands for a few days before both teams play in Whangarei on September 21.
Afterwards, Tonga return to the Bay for a few days before flying to Wellington for their final pool match against France.
The Northland regional co-ordinator for the cup, Stewart McElwain, does not yet know how much time the three teams will have for engagements with schools, clubs and community events. All three teams are coached by former All Blacks. Canada has Kieran Crowley, Tonga Isitolo Maka and Japan John Kirwan.
They are playing in the same pool as New Zealand and France. At least when they meet the team in blue, they should have many watching from Northland and cheering for red.
Today: Kerikeri
Tomorrow: Gisborne
