The next day I painted faces again at another free community event to celebrate the Namibia/Fiji game and again it was a wonderful experience, there were international fans there to support their teams, local people supporting both teams all dressed up in shirts, flags and full facepaint, and families that weren't going to the game but just excited about the RWC and wanting to be a part of the festivities.
What the people who decided against a Tauranga Fanzone seem to have missed about the World Cup is that it's not just about the rugby, it's not just about the tourists, it's about people, it's about community, it's about coming together as a country again, this time for happy reasons; to celebrate being Kiwi, to have fun together and to be proud of NZ, why would you not want that experience for the people who live in your community? The memories created will be priceless.
For those who want to be really involved in the RWC experience in some way I would highly recommend the one-hour drive to Rotorua. They know well how to do free events and we could certainly learn from them about how to celebrate as a community.
Ally Rogers, Tauranga
No council aid
It's typical of our city council, not to have put up screens or done anything for the World Cup.
They'll wait until it's over and tell us they "should have" rather than try to do something.
We're at least five years behind with the event centre compared to other towns.
Have we missed the boat again? How many cruise ships are coming?
What is the council doing to help influence these tourists to stay in Tauranga?
This was the perfect time for the council to invest in a large outdoor screen, imagine its uses: Rugby World Cup, sporting events, showcasing Tauranga to tourists, outdoor movies in parks in summer, etc.
Our council has most, if not all, the gear/resources to put up a big screen, sound, grandstand and not necessarily down the Strand.
Why not in the Greerton Village square? What funding /resources are the council providing to new and old local community driven events and initiatives. In Greerton they have plans for the blossom festival, trolley derby down Oropi hill, Christmas carols and light trail, and what about a Santa Parade and new library.
Where's the help from council? That's right its not election year, Put it in the 10-year plan.
Jack Perry, Oropi
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