The Giant Rugby Ball closed on Sunday on its fourth and final
international appearance before next year's Rugby World Cup.
Attracting over 26,670 people through the Ball during the ten
days it was open, visits reached an all time record on Sunday 12
September when 3,834 people visited the ball.
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said the
fantastic results were only achievable because of the passion and
commitment of the people involved.
"The 100 percent commitment of the team of Aussies and Kiwis who
made the event happen is inspiring."
Te Arawa cultural group, who were also part of the Ball's opening
ceremony, did five daily performances outside the Ball, drawing
people to the Ball while also entertaining visitors while they
waited.
Four improvisers worked Sydney's Circular Quay enticing people
to visit the Ball while three New Zealanders, better known as
Munter, TK from Shortland Street and Matu Ngaropo, added
personality to the experience narrating New Zealand's story during
the 10-minute 360-degree experience using multimedia, performance
and theatre.
Australia's TODAY Show weatherman Steve Jacobs presented live
television feeds from the Ball to viewers across Australia. A range
of other broadcast and print media featured the Ball, while the
Footy Show, an Australian sports television programme, talked up
the Ball, luring many families to visit on Father's Day.
Crediting the Giant Rugby Ball as amazing, iconic New Zealander
'the Mad Butcher' took the opportunity while in Sydney to
'gate-crash' the opening ceremony. In his newspaper column, 'Mad on
Sport', he recalled the experience of the Ball's 10-minute
audiovisual display.
"You go inside and in one part you are in a study and books come
off the shelf and open up and tell you a story. It's absolutely
incredible," says Sir Peter Leitch.
Based at Sydney's iconic Circular Quay, the 25-metre-long,
13-metre-high giant inflatable venue has hosted 21 functions
showcasing New Zealand to many Australian dignitaries, media and
other invited guests.
The Ball's presence in Sydney was timed to coincide with the
Bledisloe Cup Match on 11 September where Tourism New Zealand and
participating Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) hosted a
function for travel trade, media and key agencies in the Ball.
The Giant Rugby Ball was launched in Paris in 2007, and has been
deployed in London and Tokyo since. An initiative of Tourism New
Zealand, it has been used to raise the profile of New Zealand as a
visitor destination in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup 2011.
