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Thursday, February 19, 2015
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Rotorua locals are being praised for supporting Saturday’s Warriors versus Penrith Panthers rugby league match in such big numbers, and are being urged to repeat their support for the Chiefs versus Bulls Super 15 rugby match in May.
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Destination Rotorua’s Events & Venues general manager, Peter McLeod, says the crowd of almost 10,000 fans at Rotorua International Stadium made it the biggest sporting event at the stadium since the Rugby World Cup in 2011, and well beyond any previous game in Rotorua involving the Warriors. “We’re really grateful that locals got behind this match as it puts us in a very good position to attract more major sporting events to Rotorua in the future. |
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“Saturday’s crowd of around 10,000 was all the more impressive given that the match was also telecast live and it coincided with both the Rotorua Bike Festival and live coverage of the Black Caps playing Sri Lanka in the Cricket World Cup opener.
“This was the biggest crowd and the largest number of walk-up ticket purchases at the gate that we’ve experienced in many years. And it produced the biggest per centage of gate sales - compared to advance-purchased tickets - that we’ve ever seen.
“The game was an outstanding success as a sports spectacle and, in combination with the Bike Festival, meant the city was close to full over the weekend, giving our local economy a good boost.”
Mr McLeod said Rotorua Lakes Council and Destination Rotorua looked forward to being able to bring more major sporting events to Rotorua and he hoped people would get right behind the big Chiefs versus Bulls Super 15 rugby match at Rotorua Stadium on 22 May.
“We’d urge people to get in early and secure their tickets rather than wait until the day of the match and risk possible delays at the gate,” he said.
Tickets for the Chiefs versus Bulls Super 15 rugby game are available from www.ticketdirect.co.nz
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
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Rotorua has secured hosting rights for this year’s Trans Tasman Secondary Schools Netball competition. |
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Destination Rotorua’s Events & Venues general manager, Peter McLeod, said eight teams were expected to participate with most coming from overseas
“They’re not just from Australia and New Zealand but they’re also coming from Asia and the Pacific Islands.
“Players, along with officials and their supporters teams, will be arriving in Rotorua at least a couple of days before the event gets underway for pre-championships training at the Sportsdrome. It means they’ll be staying in our city for at least seven days all up.”
Mr McLeod said hosting rights for the event alternated from year-to-year between Australia and New Zealand, and 2015 was New Zealand’s turn again.
“Adelaide has become the tournament’s home base in Australia and our goal is to achieve the same status for Rotorua whenever it’s held in New Zealand. We hosted it here successfully in 2013 so this is already back-to-back hosting for Rotorua on the New Zealand leg.”
Mr McLeod said 2015 was shaping up as a major year of sporting action for the city, with other events such as the National Maori Basketball Tournament, Rotorua Bike Festival, Crankworx Rotorua, Warriors versus Penrith Panthers league match and May’s Chiefs versus the Bulls Super 15 game, all attracting interest and participation from around the country and from overseas.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
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Rotorua locals will be able to get up close and personal with Vodafone Warriors star players at the Rotorua Night Market on Thursday evening [12 Feb].
The rugby league players are in town ahead of their NRL pre-season clash against Penrith Panthers, on Saturday afternoon at Rotorua International Stadium.
Warriors team members Ruben Wiki, Jerome Ropati, Charlie Gubb, Saliva Havili and Glen Fisiiahi are expected at the night market from 6pm, along with players from the Penrith Panthers’ team.
Destination Rotorua’s Events & Venues general manager, Peter McLeod, said the Warriors had always had a loyal fan base in Rotorua and were keen to repay that support.
“Meeting locals at the night market, signing autographs and posing for selfies was one way of thanking fans, along with visits to a number of local schools this week.
“Night market patrons will also be able buy tickets for Saturday’s match at a special Ticketmaster pop-up stand at the market,” he said. “Special family passes for $45 for two adults and up to three children are proving really popular as they’re seen as great value for a match involving two top NRL teams.”
Mr McLeod said organisors were expecting a good turnout on Saturday, with a festival of rugby league on offer throughout the day leading up to the 3pm kick-off for the big match. Gates open at the International Stadium at 10am.
However he was urging locals to buy their tickets ahead of the game to avoid entry queues at the venue on the day.
In addition to the pop-up ticket stand at the night market, tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre and online at ticketmaster.co.nz - $20 for adults, $7.50 for children, or $45 for a family pass (2 adults, 3 children). Corporate Lounge entry is also available for $70.
Monday, February 9, 2015
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Club greats Jerome Ropati and Ruben Wiki will lead a Vodafone Warriors delegation on a two-day blitz meeting close to 5000 pupils at 12 schools in Rotorua this week.
Ropati, just appointed as an NRL Community ambassador, and former team-mate Wiki, the NRL team’s rehab coach, will be in the Geyser City from Wednesday night helping to promote the Vodafone Warriors’ NRL trial against the Penrith Panthers at Rotorua International Stadium on Valentine’s Day (Saturday, February 14, 3.00pm kick-off).
Before romance meets rugby league, Ropati, Wiki and Vodafone Warriors community relations manager Petrece Kesha will be joined by three players from the club’s NRL squad for a series of community activities (the players will be confirmed early next week).
Split into two teams of three, the Vodafone Warriors’ advance guard will visit six schools on Thursday and another six on Friday in an intensive community initiative ahead of the club’s NRL players and coaching staff arriving on Friday to prepare for the trial.
“Jerome and Ruben plus the three current players will be heading into the schools to give the kids a chance of getting up close and personal with the Vodafone Warriors,” said Kesha.
The Vodafone Warriors’ activities in Rotorua signal the start of the NRL’s 2015 Community Carnival launched in Australia this week by Olympic great Cathy Freeman and another new NRL Community ambassador Anthony Minichiello.
The community message of this year's event is wellbeing, focusing on everything from nutrition and healthy eating, to the importance of regular exercise and its effect on mental health.
"This is a particularly special Community Carnival as we celebrate 15 years of the program, and we're delighted to have Catherine throw her support behind this year's wellbeing message," Head of NRL Community, Adam Check said.
"Community Carnival has made a tremendous contribution over the years by raising awareness of important societal issues such as bullying and social inclusion. The program has demonstrated that the game, our ambassadors and players can impart positive messages that students and young people will observe.
Tickets to this Saturday's Warriors vs Panthers league match are available through the Ticketmaster Box Office at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre, by phoning 0800 111 999, or online through Ticketmaster.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
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The Vodafone Warriors will play their only 2015 New Zealand pre-season fixture against NRL opposition at Rotorua on Saturday February 14th when they meet the Penrith Panthers.
Don’t miss this opportunity to see the stars from New Zealand’s only NRL side plus many of the stars from the Kiwi’s Four Nations winning team. And it’s not just the Warriors with the stars. Penrith have their strong contingent of the game’s very best players and come into this match fresh from a successful 2014 season that took them into the NRL’s Preliminary Final.
Kiwi and Kangaroo Test players, State of Origin stars and some of the brightest young prospects in Rugby League feature in both squads. And there is a special edge to this match with Penrith being coached by former Warriors coach, Ivan Cleary, and with a number of former Warrior players turning out for the Sydney club.
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Tickets are general admission so you have the choice of enjoying yourself on the grass embankments or in the comfortable shade of the grandstand.
Adults are just $20, children $7.50 and family tickets for Mum, Dad and up to three children are only $45, a saving of $17.50.
Or come upstairs and view the game from the comfort of the corporate lounges for just $70 including finger food and your own cash bar.
Gates open at 10am and you can be there early to see the final of the Rugby League Festival Nines competition.
Get your tickets now from Ticketmaster at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre, online on www.ticketmaster.co.nz or by phoning 0800 111 999. General Admission ticketing can also be purchased from the Mad Butchers on Fenton Street.
NRL RUGBY LEAGUE IS FAST & FURIOUS, WITHOUT A DULL MOMENT
Thursday, January 22, 2015
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Hot Off The Press - Events & Venues Rotorua What's On Newsletter - full of events happening in and around Rotorua in February 2015. Click here to view.
Monday, January 19, 2015
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The Runway Project will open Rotorua Airport’s runway to the public after 7.30PM. There’ll also be a 4-kilometre scratch race open to all-comers, on any bike.
Then, as the sun sets over Mount Ngongotaha, riders with Cycling New Zealand elite race licenses will compete in the straight-line, Flying Kilo time trial.
Road bikes are compulsory, but with cash prizes at stake, riders from other disciplines are expected to line up.
“It’s a once-a-year opportunity to ride and race the runway,” enthused event organiser, Jason Cameron. "And then witiness some world-class riders race the kilo."
The Runway Project illustrates the essential nature of the 10-day Festival. It’s a combination of community events, open to all, right through to elite athletes, in head to head competition.
Rotorua's Dirk Peters is a mountain biker first, but enjoys a work-out on a road bike (
Photo: Nick Lambert Zero Seven).
Rotorua is best known as the world’s premiere all-year-round mountain biking resort with over 150 kilometres of world-class trails.
“And the city also boasts a vibrant road cycling scene," said Bike Festival event coordinator, Martin Croft. “The Festival really reflects that.”
Tour de France veteran, Julian Dean, will ride in the family event at the Airport with his young sons, Tanner and Val, and is looking forward to enjoying the rest of the festival.
Best known as one of the country’s most successful road cyclists, he started his career on the BMX track in Waihi and also loves to get out in the Whakarewarewa Forest on a mountain bike.
Rotorua has been an ideal, off-season haven for most of his career.
“This really is the perfect, lifestyle city with so many different bike disciplines so close at hand,” he said. “It creates a healthy and stimulating culture that resonates throughout the community - to the point where you hear stories about the most unlikely people ending up on a bike, something that has to be good for the health of the population.”
Another event that unites the biking tribes debuts on the evening of Saturday February 15. The Park Ride is a sprint race up and down a multi-story car park in the heart of downtown Rotorua.
It is open to all-comers on all bikes - mountain, BMX or road.
Continuing the road bike theme, there will be a women-only ride on the morning of Saturday February 15.
“It will be casual and in a relaxed, supportive environment,” said Agnes Arnold from Revolve Rotorua, who are organising the ride, along with two mountain bike rides for women, as part of the festival. “And no one gets left behind.”
Cycling Rotorua will run a street criterium on the evening of Tuesday February 18 and a road race on Thursday February 20.
Then, on the final day of the Festival, Sunday February 22, there’ll be the second Summer edition of Bike the Lake.
This is a circumnavigation of Lake Rotorua, starting from the Village Green. Race start is at 7.30AM, in the cool of the early morning.
Around 500 riders entered Bike the Lake at last year’s festival and organiser, Shane Hooks, is pleased to be back.
He’ll have a busy weekend, as he’ll be running XRace Rotorua, an adventure event for kids, on Saturday.
“It’s wonderful to be part of the festival, again, in 2015,” said Hooks. “Rotorua is always a great venue to run events and during festival week with so much on, there’s a real biking buzz."
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
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Wednesday, December 10, 2014
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Recreating Queen’s 1986 World Tour concert, Queen – It’s a Kinda Magic features all of the band’s greatest hits performed live, including ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘We Are the Champions’ and ‘Fat-Bottomed Girls’. Painstaking attention has been paid to all the music – the iconic voice of Mercury, the amazing guitar solos of May and the groundbreaking Rock harmonies. And with state-of-the-art sound and lighting and authentic costumes, this is as close as you’ll ever get to the real thing.
In fact the show is good enough to have attracted the attention, endorsement and eventual involvement of Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury’s personal assistant for 12 years and best friend.
After reviewing the show while in Singapore in 2007, Freestone was duly impressed and contacted promoter John Van Grinsven with his compliments. A friendship ensued and Freestone now tours with QIAKM where his schedule allows, acting as a production consultant for the show as well as signing autographs and chatting with fans.
In 2014 the coveted and complex role of Freddie Mercury was taken on by respected English performer and multi-instrumentalist Giles Taylor. Taylor’s accomplished career has seen him travel the world over the past 13 years, performing with artists such as Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), Gabrielle, Rick Wakeman, The Moody Blues, Martin Taylor, Richard O'Brien, Sir Jimmy Tarbuck and Dennis Waterman.
Despite this incredible roll call of colleagues, Taylor counts his role in Queen – It’s a Kinda Magic as one of the toughest musical roles he has encountered to date.
“Freddie was known for his powerful voice and vocal range, and had a very distinct character in general, so emulating him is quite a challenge, but those details need to be just right for a show of this magnitude. True Queen fans will appreciate the attention to detail,“ says Taylor.
Taylor will be joined by Australians Richie Baker, as Brian May on guitar, and Kyle Thompson, as Roger Taylor on drums, with South Africa’s Steven Dennett as John Deacon on bass.
“I have not seen another show in the world do it better. Their name is well deserved.
They truly are ‘a kinda magic.’"
- Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury’s best friend, confidante, biographer and personal assistant for 12 years
Queen – It’s A Kinda Magic perform at the Rotorua Civic Theatre, Rotorua Friday 24th April. Tickets are available now from the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre, 1170 Fenton St, Rotorua, by calling 0800 111 999 or online from Ticketmaster.
Monday, December 8, 2014
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The Giant 2W Gravity Enduro will be a feature of the second weekend of the Rotorua Bike Festival on Saturday February 21. And 2014 Enduro World Series champion, Jared Graves from Australia, hopes to be on the start line.
2014 Enduro World Series champion, Jared Graves, Round 3, Valloire, France
The Giant 2W Gravity Enduro will be a dress rehearsal for the Crankworx Rotorua Enduro in late March.
This is round one of the Enduro World Series (EWS). It will bring together some of the most talented riders in the world for this multi-stage, mainly downhill event that is the fastest growing form of mountain bike racing.
Graves is looking forward to starting his title defence in Rotorua in March.
“It’s going to be great racing so close to home, instead of the usual lug over to Europe for the start of the season,” he said as he took a welcome holiday break after a busy race season. “Tons of family and friends will be at the race too…cant wait.”
Graves and Yeti teammate, Richie Rude from the USA, are also hoping to race at the Giant 2W Gravity Enduro at the Bike Festival.
“At this stage, we’re planning to come over,” Graves added. “I was supposed to race at the 2006 World Mountain Bike Champs in Rotorua, but got injured a couple of weeks before.”
Even though he couldn't ride he still made it to cheer on a big Australian team and is looking forward to finally sampling the Whakarewarewa Forest network.
“I’ve only heard good things about your trails,” he continued with his trademark enthusiasm.
“Pretty much everyone I ride with at home here has been there, which makes me wonder why I haven’t. They can’t say enough good things about what’s there.”
Graves in action, Enduro World Series, round 6, Whistler, Canada
Neil Gellatly is race director of the Giant 2W Gravity Enduro and the EWS round and he’s very excited about the prospect of the upcoming race season.
“Our Giant 2W events over the last two years have proven the popularity of gravity enduro style racing,” said Gellatly. “To have the very best of the best racers here over summer, like Jared, in preparation for Crankworx and the EWS in March, is just fantastic for both Rotorua and New Zealand.”
The Giant 2W Gravity Enduro at the 2014 Festival sold out a month before race day.
Entries for next year’s race are open at www.2W.co.nz.
“I expect it to sell out, again, for sure. It’s just a matter of when,” continued Gellatly.
“We are also running a Giant 2W Gravity Enduro event this Saturday December 13 and that’s in high demand, too. The sense of anticipation is growing.”
Gellatly is cagey about the courses to be used this weekend and in February.
“We keep them under wraps till just before race day,” he added, with a smile. “Let’s just say they’ll feature some of the finest trails in the world-class Whakarewarewa Forest mountain bike park.”
While the Giant 2W Gravity Enduro at the Festival in February will follow the same exhilirating and entertaining formula as previous events, it will debut a new race HQ.
This will be at Rotorua’s Blue Lake/Tikitapu, to the east of the city.
“With new trails going in around Tikitapu, the bush clad lake and reserve will be a stunning spot for riders to relax and take a dip at the finish,” continued Gellatly.
The new venue underlines how the Festival encompasses Rotorua, its biking community and all biking disciplines.
The major road event of Festival week is Bike the Lake on the final day, Sunday, February 22. It features a one or two lap circumnavigation of Lake Rotorua.
“The 30 events will run from the slopes of Mount Ngongotaha, to venues in the heart of the city and the Whakarewarewa Forest and out to the Blue Lake,” said David Crowley from the Rotorua Bike Festival Charitable, a group of local bike enthusiasts who oversee the Festival.“The ten days will showcase everything that Rotorua has to offer.”
Neil Gellatly is race director of the Giant 2W Gravity Enduro and the EWS round and he’s very excited about the prospect of the upcoming race season.
“Our Giant 2W events over the last two years have proven the popularity of gravity enduro style racing,” said Gellatly. “To have the very best of the best racers here over summer, like Jared, in preparation for Crankworx and the EWS in March, is just fantastic for both Rotorua and New Zealand.”
The Giant 2W Gravity Enduro at the 2014 Festival sold out a month before race day.
Entries for next year’s race are open at www.2W.co.nz.
“I expect it to sell out, again, for sure. It’s just a matter of when,” continued Gellatly.
“We are also running a Giant 2W Gravity Enduro event this Saturday December 13 and that’s in high demand, too. The sense of anticipation is growing.”
Gellatly is cagey about the courses to be used this weekend and in February.
“We keep them under wraps till just before race day,” he added, with a smile. “Let’s just say they’ll feature some of the finest trails in the world-class Whakarewarewa Forest mountain bike park.”
Giant 2W Gravity Enduro action, Whakarewarewa Forest. (Mead Norton)
While the Giant 2W Gravity Enduro at the Festival in February will follow the same exhilirating and entertaining formula as previous events, it will debut a new race HQ.
This will be at Rotorua’s Blue Lake/Tikitapu, to the east of the city.
“With new trails going in around Tikitapu, the bush clad lake and reserve will be a stunning spot for riders to relax and take a dip at the finish,” continued Gellatly.
The new venue underlines how the Festival encompasses Rotorua, its biking community and all biking disciplines.
The major road event of Festival week is Bike the Lake on the final day, Sunday, February 22. It features a one or two lap circumnavigation of Lake Rotorua.
“The 30 events will run from the slopes of Mount Ngongotaha, to venues in the heart of the city and the Whakarewarewa Forest and out to the Blue Lake,” said David Crowley from the Rotorua Bike Festival Charitable, a group of local bike enthusiasts who oversee the Festival.“The ten days will showcase everything that Rotorua has to offer.”
