Festival 2011

New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup festival will make 2011 a year to remember.

The celebrations will run throughout 2011, with events that showcase the best of New Zealand arts, culture and entertainment.

Driving the national festival will be a festival manager in the New Zealand 2011 Office.

The festival manager will draw together the energy, resources and initiatives already underway in the regions, and develop national programmes to support them, creating an unforgettable visitor experience for Rugby World Cup 2011.

The breadth of the regional festival ideas is impressive already, from fireworks and parades to family concerts, and wine and food festivals.

Many major events are looking at scheduling special activities to coincide with RWC 2011.  For example, the NZ Winegrowers are considering tying together special festival events in key wine regions like Hawkes Bay, Martinborough, Marlborough and Central Otago.  This will encourage New Zealanders and visitors to explore and discover the special qualities of each region.

The festival calendar will bring together a range of iconic Kiwi events and new events to make 2011 a year-long celebration of New Zealand.

Once the festival programme is launched, the www.nz2011.govt.nz website will carry the details of events, creating an information “one stop shop” for New Zealanders and visitors wanting to know what’s happening and how to get involved.