Hundreds of Japanese people have been queuing to learn more
about New Zealand in the Giant Rugby Ball in Tokyo.
Already almost 5000 members of the public have viewed a stunning
audio visual presentation of New Zealand inside the ball with
thousands more seeing it outside.
Maori Cultural group Te Arawa has been drawing crowds to the
ball with regular cultural performances.
The placing of the rugby ball under the Tokyo Tower has captured
Japanese media with thirteen television channels, 14 newspapers and
85 websites featuring the ball to millions of viewers and
readers.
The interest has caused a spike in the users of Tourism New
Zealand's Japanese consumer website with the average number of 1500
visits to the site per day rising to over 4000 per day since the
ball was open.
National Television channel, Nippon TV broadcast the weather
live from inside the Giant Rugby Ball on Friday night.
The ball was formally opened on Wednesday by Prime Minister and
Minister of Tourism John Key. It will be open from 28 October to 3
November.
During the seven days the Ball is open, it will play host to a
series of public and private events aimed at promoting New Zealand
as a place to visit, work and do business with. It will also host
functions which will showcase New Zealand cuisine.
For further information please contact:
Cas Carter in Tokyo on +6421915410 or
Sue Allen in NZ on +64299175466
Watch an interview with Tourism New Zealand CE
George Hickton at the Rugby Ball (YouTube)