New Zealand’s forestry sector was showcased last week at the highest profile event yet to promote the 2011 Rugby World Cup – Tourism New Zealand’s giant World Cup Rugby Ball in Sydney.
The event was also commemorated with the presentation of a unique carved rugby ball, Pu Manawa, to Australian officials for safe-keeping until next year’s Festival of Forestry and Wood Processing in New Zealand. The ball will be returned to Rotorua next year and placed at the heart of a large wooden carving that will be the centrepiece of the Festival.
A forestry sector delegation joined other Bay of Plenty representatives from tourism, business and sporting sectors who travelled to Sydney last week to promote the Rugby World Cup and its associated events in the Bay of Plenty.
Destination Rotorua Economic Development general manager, Grant Kilby, says the build-up to next year’s Festival of Forestry and Wood Processing and Rugby World Cup went to a whole new level at last week’s event.
“We had a fantastic audio visual presentation which showcased the very best that the Bay of Plenty has to offer – including tourism, sport and leisure, the natural environment, business and partnership opportunities – as well as the three pool games that Rotorua is hosting at the Rugby World Cup,” says Mr Kilby.
“Branded ‘Countdown 365’, the AV presentation was supported by speeches from key dignitaries including David Kirk, RWC Ambassador, Deputy Mayor Trevor Maxwell in his capacity as Kaupapa Director for Tourism NZ, Peter Chrisp, the CEO of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Leon Grice, the CEO of NZ2011.
“Once the formalities were over, the stage was set for our ambassadors to interact with guests, gleaning valuable knowledge of business opportunities on a Trans Tasman level, as well as ensuring we got our message through to Australia.”
Mr Kilby says the prestigious event was attended by a good cross-section of Australian business, tourism, forestry representatives and media, providing an important opportunity for the Bay of Plenty to engage with key Australian stakeholders.
“Australia has been brought one step closer to the Bay of Plenty with the introduction of Trans Tasman flights direct from Sydney to Rotorua. This makes it even easier for them to come across and enjoy the Rugby World Cup, as well as the different events that will accompany it,” says Mr Kilby.
“One of the key events for the Bay of Plenty will be the New Zealand Forestry and Wood Processing Festival. As the traditional home of forestry in New Zealand, the Bay of Plenty is well positioned to leverage new opportunities and growth out of the Rugby World Cup.
“For over a hundred years, the Australian and New Zealand forestry sectors have led the world in the quality of their wood, products, technology and expertise. That hasn’t changed, and with the growing demand for sustainable living solutions, our two countries stand to increase that lead further in the years and decades to come.
“As such, we welcome the Australian forestry sector to both visit and to participate in the exciting events that we have planned next year.”
The Forestry and Wood Processing Festival will take place from 5 to 9 September in Rotorua, Bay of Plenty and across New Zealand. It includes a range of activities, conferences, exhibitions, displays and competitions leading up to the first Rugby World Cup games in the first week of September.
A highlight will be the four yearly Forest Industries 2011 Expo, with other events including the Kawerau Woodfest, the 2011 Fitec National Training Awards and an open day at Waiariki Institute of Technology’s School of Forestry.
The festival will cover every aspect of the New Zealand Forestry and Wood Products sector, from plant to market and include everything from genetics and growing, to harvesting, processing, design, manufacturing, supply chain and the links to domestic and international markets.
“The Rugby World Cup offers the single biggest opportunity for the forestry industry to showcase its expertise, technology and products, and to reach new markets and grow the sector. We must maximise this opportunity and this week’s events in Sydney are just the start,” says Mr Kilby.
