Former All Black stars Grant Fox and Gary and Alan Whetton share a laugh at a giveaway of rugby balls in Auckland yesterday. Photo / Greg Bowker
Former All Black stars Grant Fox and Gary and Alan Whetton share a laugh at a giveaway of rugby balls in Auckland yesterday. Photo / Greg Bowker
New Zealanders will be called on to volunteer in various roles at the Rugby World Cup as part of the Government's call for "a nation of four million hosts".
Prime Minister John Key said the Government would co-ordinate the volunteer effort, which he hoped would be as successful as the2000 Sydney Olympics where 46,967 people gave their time.
He said it would cover a range of activities, based on the "friendly nature of New Zealanders lending a hand so that those from overseas feel welcome".
The Sydney volunteer programme ranged from basic tasks such as ushering to more specialised areas such as event production.
Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully said young people would be targeted for the volunteer roles.
Mr McCully invoked the World Cup's new slogan when he challenged New Zealanders to join the Government "in giving it 100 per cent".
Mr McCully revealed the plan at Parliament yesterday, marking the two years until the All Blacks play Tonga in the opening World Cup game.
He said the "Give it 100 per cent" slogan was chosen for the hosting programme to complement the "100 per cent New Zealand" brand.
Mr McCully said there would also be a programme that showcased New Zealand's industries, such as food, wine, the film industry and science and information technology.
A festival programme of events would also be set up to show New Zealand off to tourists.
Mr McCully said a New Zealand 2011 office would be established to co-ordinate the volunteer, festival and showcase programmes. There would also be a "top-end networking programme" for influential visitors.
He also named a steering group that would oversee the work: Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, businesswoman Sharon Hunter, Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, former All Black coach John Hart, Ngai Tahu chairman Wally Stone, jewellery magnate Michael Hill and Wellington lawyer Sir David Gascoigne.
International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset, who met senior ministers yesterday, said he was pleased with progress and said the IRB would do everything it could to ensure a successful tournament.
