NZI Sevens to Stay in the Capital Until 2016

New Zealand’s favourite sports and entertainment event will remain in Wellington after the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) awarded the Wellington Rugby Football Union the right to host the HSBC Sevens World Series for another five years, covering the period 2012-2016. The New Zealand leg of the competition, the NZI Sevens, has successfully kept fans and teams entertained for the past 11 years. The first tournament was held in Wellington in 2000 at Westpac Stadium and has gone from strength to strength ever since.
 
NZRU CEO Steve Tew said the event had developed a unique identity in Wellington, which had captured the imagination of New Zealand fans and sevens rugby followers around the world.

“I’m sure NZI Sevens fans will be delighted with this news. After a thorough review and an invitation for bids from other centres, Wellington delivered a compelling case to keep the event here in the capital and we were happy to agree.”

The NZI Sevens in Wellington has become firmly established as the place to be in February, with the tournament now renowned as the best sports and entertainment event in New Zealand.

The retention of the right to host the event is a massive coup for the Wellington City Council, Positively Wellington Tourism, Westpac Stadium and the Wellington Rugby Football Union. A survey in 2008 found that the NZI Sevens generated $15.6 million for the Wellington City economy. With the tournament that year attracting over 45,000 visitors to the city, the news that it is set to stay for another five years will be well received by businesses in the region, with visitors to the city growing year on year.

Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown was quick to pledge her support for the renewal bid to NZRU after her election in October and was thrilled with the news that it had been successful.

She said: “This is one of the key events in Wellington’s events calendar and a proven and valuable contributor to our economy. We’re delighted this iconic, fun event will stay in Wellington – our compact, cosmopolitan city has really taken the Sevens to its heart and given it a unique flavour. Wellington is perfect for the Sevens and the team has worked hard to keep it here.”

Rugby sevens is set to become an Olympic sport as it debuts at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016. The growing global audience of the sport is a fantastic way to display Wellington as a first-class host city, says David Perks, CEO of Positively Wellington Tourism. "Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2011's feature on the 'coolest little capital in the world' describes the NZI Sevens atmosphere as 'electrifying'. The event's creativity, humour and spirit have become embedded in the Wellington brand and vice versa."

Wellington Rugby Union Chairman, Tony Duffin, was elated with the news of a successful renewal. “We are delighted to retain the hosting rights. The NZI Sevens always starts the Wellington rugby year with a kick and adds energy and excitement to the game. Through the NZI Sevens, Wellington rises to the forefront as a leader in rugby. This tournament adds depth and experience to the infrastructure behind the sport, recognises the importance of volunteers and brings new people to rugby – all of which are invaluable for the future.”

Wellington is one of eight stops on the IRB’s HSBC Sevens World Series and in the 11 years since the Wellington tournament was introduced, the NZI Sevens has grown to become one of the most popular events on the world circuit with players, officials, media and fans.

The decision to award the NZI Sevens to Wellington for a further five years is subject to the finalisation of the agreement between NZRU and the IRB to grant HSBC Sevens World Series Tournament rights to New Zealand from 2012 onwards.