World Cup's high flyers

Virgin boss Richard Branson is rumoured to be planning to stay at Mercury island during the Rugby World Cup. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson is expected in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup and judging by VIP hosting programmes, the Virgin mogul will be waited on hand and foot.

Government agencies, companies and business associations are scrambling to provide exclusive hosting packages to leave a lasting impression on high-profile visitors.

Branson is rumoured to be a guest of event promotion company Duco. Director David Higgins said, "All I can say is that there's a strong likelihood he'll speak publicly for the first time in New Zealand about his entrepreneur success and his life story."

Higgins couldn't comment on speculation that Branson would be staying on Great Mercury, the island owned by the families of businessmen Michael Fay and David Richwhite.

At least three VIP-hosting programmes have been set up. Tournament organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd is hosting International Rugby Board members and other power players from the sport.

New Zealand 2011, the Government agency set up to work with tournament organisers, has a unit dedicated to VIP guests comprising six fixed-term fulltime staff, about 12 staff seconded from other departments and about six contractors.

The agency will put businesses in touch with corporates who plan to bring VIPs here. "There will be so many VIPs running round it would never be feasible for the Government to be their hosts," said NZ 2011 director Leon Grice.

But the Government will host diplomats or foreign politicians.

New Zealand Winegrowers global marketing director Chris Yorke said the cup was an opportunity to woo the A-list and the industry had developed unique access to winemakers.

One Central Otago winemaker will helicopter people to the winery while another has offered two-day pig-hunting trips.

Boatbuilders will also roll out the red carpet to boost the industry by $1 billion in five years.

The Auckland International boat show has been rescheduled to coincide with the tournament and an inaugural superyacht conference will attract up to 150 key industry players from all over the world.

About 40 superyachts have already booked berths in Auckland during the tournament, leaving only 20 per cent of slots available.