Get Down to Opening Celebrations at the FANZONE
Wellington rugby fans are being encouraged to head down to the Rugby Village FANZONE by the Wharewaka this Friday night (9 September) to take part in opening night celebrations for the seventh Rugby World Cup.
Free pre-match entertainment will kick off at 4.30pm with crowd favourites the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra and Batucada performing. There will also be an MC, spot prizes and a countdown to the opening ceremony in Auckland, which will be live on the big screen at 7.00pm, followed by the New Zealand vs Tonga match.
A marquee, with a licensed bar area, will be open until 10.00pm in the evening so people can drop in, have a drink, sample some of the food on offer and soak up the atmosphere.
Live coverage of the match and opening ceremony will also take place in the Town Hall along with family-friendly music and entertainment.
Schedule: Friday 9 September
Rugby Village FANZONE
4.30pm - 6.00pm: Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra
6.00pm: Batucada
6.20pm: Makatu'unga 'Ofa Tongan Community performance
6.50pm: Kapa Haka performance (Port Nicholson Trust)
7.00pm - 8.00pm: Live coverage of Opening Ceremony (Auckland) on big screen
8.30pm - 10.00pm: Live coverage of New Zealand vs Tonga (Auckland) on big screen
10.00pm: Game finishes, venue closes
Town Hall
5.00pm - 6.00pm: NZ School of Music Big Band
7.00pm - 8.00pm: Live coverage of Opening Ceremony (Auckland) on big screen
8.30pm: Live coverage of New Zealand vs Tonga (Auckland) on big screen
9.10pm: Kapa Haka half-time performance (Ngā Maioha o Te Rangikauia)
10.00pm: Game finishes, venue closes
To get updates on daily event listings and more information about what is happening during the month-long Festival of Carnivale:
- Pick up an event guide from around town
- Look out for the eye-catching red information beacons which are dotted around the central city
- visit:
Rugby World Cup 2011 - Festival of Carnivale
For more detailed Festival of Carnival event information: