Central City fanzone gets a boost for rugby test match

On Thursday 26 July, the Governance Committee recommended to Council that it approves additional funding of up to $20,000 in relation to the All Blacks vs Argentina rugby test match on 8 September.

These funds would be used by the Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA) to manage the much higher than usual traffic demands and additional temporary facilities (including toilets).

This includes a bus system on game day, where match ticket holders will be able to catch the buses for free, to and from the match.
 
“Fans can travel by bus into the inner city, on game day, and home again after the game, by presenting their match tickets, with details of extra services and stops to be confirmed,” Councillor Ian Barker says.
 
The CBD will be transformed on the Saturday afternoon with pre-game festivities from 1pm, including entertainment, a street market and a family zone.
 
A rugby history zone and inner city game day fan trail will also be in place, to highlight Nelson’s place as the birthplace of New Zealand rugby, hosting the first match in the country in 1870.
 
According to Nelson Regional Development Agency Chief Executive Mark Rawson, planning to arrive into the inner city well before the 5:30pm opening of the gates at Trafalgar Park is important, with 21,000 fans set to converge on the City and Trafalgar Park for the game.
 
“We strongly encourage people to get into the city early using our fantastic public transport, and enjoy the festivities. This is a game that you will not want to be late for.”
 
September’s match against the Pumas at Trafalgar Park will be part of the 2018 Investec Rugby Championship.