The Chiefs play Moana Pasifika at the Rotorua International Stadium next weekend. Photos / Photosport, NZME
The Chiefs play Moana Pasifika at the Rotorua International Stadium next weekend. Photos / Photosport, NZME
A “generous donor” has gifted 1000 free tickets to locals to watch the Chiefs play Moana Pasifika at the Rotorua International Stadium next weekend.
The free Super Rugby Pacific tickets are up for grabs today for Rotorua residents to attend the ninth-round match on Saturday, April 11 at 2pm.
The gift has been touted as reinforcing Rotorua’s “strong community spirit” for major events.
RotoruaNZ chief executive Andrew Wilson said the gift from a “generous donor” recognised the current cost-of-living pressures and meant more locals could experience top-tier rugby.
“This initiative is about making sure our community can be part of the excitement when major events come to town,” Wilson said.
“Rotorua continues to show it is an incredible host city – vibrant, welcoming, and fully behind these events.”
Wilson said the gift was a community-led initiative designed to ensure locals could be part of the action and to strengthen Rotorua’s reputation as a city that thrived on hosting and supporting major sporting events.
How to get the tickets
Locals are asked to go to the Sir Howard Morrison Centre today between 2pm and 5pm.
Wilson said residents were encouraged to get in early to avoid missing out, and to add support to what promised to be an exciting match-day atmosphere.
How Rotorua secured the game
Rotorua was announced as the host city at the start of March after plans to play the match as a home game for the Pacific side at the Teufaiva Sport Stadium in Nuku’alofa, Tonga fell through because of a lack of funding and sponsorship.
The Chiefs last played a regular-season Super Rugby match in Rotorua in 2018, when they were defeated 23–19 by Argentine team the Jaguares.
Chiefs chief executive Simon Graafhuis previously said it was a bonus to play in Rotorua.
“We know we have strong support in the city and we are confident those fans will turn out in force for this match,” Graafhuis said at the start of the month.
Moana Pasifika players with Rotorua connections included prop Malakai Hala-Ngatai, who has ties to Te Arawa, while Semisi Paea was raised in the city and attended Rotorua Boys’ High School. He played junior rugby for the Ngongotahā Rugby Club and has played for the Bay of Plenty Steamers since 2021.
“Rotorua is a rugby town, and I know the locals will be keen to see the boys up close.”
Rotorua was one of two options considered for the match, alongside Pukekohe.
RotoruaNZ originally said the tickets were available on Tuesday between 2pm and 5pm but has since corrected the information and the tickets are available today, Thursday, from 2pm to 5pm.
Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.
