RWC progress 'well on track' - ministry

Some areas of infrastructure will come under tight pressure towards the tail-end of next year's rugby World Cup, but organisers are confident of their coping mechanisms, the Economic Development Ministry says.

Ministry representatives were asked at a parliamentary commerce select committee today about what economic risks were being presented by the tournament, touted as being set to bring huge economic benefits.

The ministry's business services deputy secretary Neville Harris said all sectors involved in running the event, which starts in September, had reported they were well on track in terms of preparation.

"We're very positive that we're well on track, and we don't see, at this stage, any specific risks that would cause us any concern."

However, Mr Harris said the likes of border entry and exit points would be heavily tested.

"There's no doubt there will be pinch points, certainly in Auckland. In the last eight or nine days of the tournament there will be cruise ships in Auckland and there will be a lot of pressure on the infrastructure and on the system."

People leaving the country in the two or three days immediately after the tournament would also present bottleneck situations, he said.

"But the border events team has been working on events over last 18 months to ensure they get it right. There are high levels of confidence among that team that things are working well."

Questioned about boorish behaviour at a rugby league double-header at Auckland's recently revamped Eden Park on Saturday, Mr Harris said there were lessons to be learned in terms of crown control, but the stadium itself had performed well with a big crowd.

"That said, there were some failures in the system and they need to be looked at, and reports are being prepared in relation to that."

That would include looking at policing of the areas around stadia to ensure liquor bans were enforced.

He said Eden Park's problems occurred despite there having been a larger police and security presence than usual.

All the host stadiums around the country were considered ready to host matches, apart from Dunedin's, which was on track to be completed on time, Mr Harris said.

- NZPA