A packed Rotorua International Stadium welcomed the British and Irish Lions in the opening game of their 2005 tour. Photo/File
A packed Rotorua International Stadium welcomed the British and Irish Lions in the opening game of their 2005 tour. Photo/File
It's exactly one year to go until the British & Irish Lions kick off their New Zealand tour with Rotorua accepting a special match trophy to mark the occasion.
Mayor Steve Chadwick accepted the trophy on Rotorua's behalf at a 'One Year to Go' function today.
The trophy, one of seven unique taiaha that were specially designed and carved by New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute tutor Tony Thompson, is a first for the series.
Officials from each of the host cities received taiaha which will go on display in their cities until being claimed by the winning team.
Rotorua's taiaha will go on display at central locations such as the Rotorua i-site and will feature at games played at the Rotorua International Stadium over the next year.
Mayor Steve Chadwick with the special tiaha carved for the series.
Mayor Steve Chadwick said she was eager to welcome the team to Rotorua.
"I remember the official welcome to the Lions team in 2005 at Tama Te Kapua, the families lining the courtyard and the swell of the crowd. It is an enduring memory for me."
"We know that when we have an event here our numbers can swell by up to 14,000, we expect this to be even bigger," she said.
Rotorua will host the fifth match of the series when the Lions play the Maori All Blacks at the Rotorua International stadium on June 17.
"It is very special to have the Maori All Blacks playing here in the cultural heartland. The Lions really will be entering the lion's den," said Mayor Chadwick.
Rotorua will look forward to showing the visitors true hospitality and the series will be great for local accommodation providers, eateries and adventure activities.
The British and Irish Lions play the Maori All Blacks in 2005.
"I know that Destination Rotorua and the community will be giving the Lions a big kia ora," said said.
The series in 2017 will be the Lions 12th tour in New Zealand since they started in 1888. Since 1959 the Lions have played in Rotorua five times with their opening game here in 2005 attracting a sell-out crowd.
The series is expected to bring thousands of international visitors to New Zealand. Over 20,000 supporters journeyed to New Zealand for the 2005 tour and spent 430,000 visitor nights in accommodation across the country.
The series is expected to create a significant influx of revenue for Rotorua's economy during a normally quiet period of the year. A report released by Covec following the 2005 tour reported that the economic impact for Dunedin surrounding the Otago v Lions game was huge. It was reported that the game attracted over 19,000 visitors to the city which resulted in 37,250 visitor nights spent in accommodation, with guests staying an average of 2.7 nights' and 'generated a total Gross Domestic Product of $5.6 million(including indirect and induced effects).'
Fans will have to wait until the end of this month to find out more details with the ticket pricing being released on June 29. Around 350,000 seats will be up for grabs around New Zealand with tickets on sale in October.
