New Plymouth is famed for delivering world-class events.

Rugby World Cup 2011 will be no exception, as the region offers much more than its three RWC 2011 matches with a Festival ensuring that visiting teams, administrators, fans and supporters can sample the best of Taranaki’s legendary hospitality and discover just why this region has been called the ‘Events Capital of New Zealand’.

New Plymouth’s central waterfront Puke Ariki is the place to be for locals and those visiting the region. A family-friendly space, the Fanzone will offer live events, match screenings and entertainment all showcasing Taranaki’s legendary hospitality. 

Adjacent Puke Ariki Landing will be home to theTaranaki International Village, showcasing the region's diverse multi-ethnic communities and proud Māori heritage through a wide range of culturally-based stalls, activities and workshops. Based on the successful village a the annual WOMAD music and dance festival, this promises to present the real sights, sounds and flavours of Taranaki.

The neighbouring Puke Ariki museum, library and iSITE visitor centre will feature a major exhibition showcasing Taranaki’s proud Rugby history.  The exhibition, titled It’s Not Just a Game – Whānau, Whakapapa, Whutupaoro captures the spirit of rugby in the region and proves the game is about families and fans, mates and mana. The eight iwi around Mt Taranaki have a long history of battling it out on the rugby field - tribal boundaries have even been known to shift in order to claim star players. Visitors will discover a clubroom starring stories of Taranaki's All Blacks, a shearing shed and locker room, and can try their virtual goal-converting abilities or test their rugby knowledge. The exhibition runs from 27 August - 14 November 2011. 

Just a block away, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery will interpret the action through the kinetic sculptures of New Zealand’s most famous international contemporary artist – Len Lye, with the exhibition All Souls Carnival, which runs from 10 September to 27 November and features acclaimed Lye sculptures Trilogy, Blade,Universe and Fountain.

And the central-city Pukekura Park will be transormed after dark with Light By Night - the Pukekura Park Light Trail, from 10 to 30 September.

Taranaki's Fanzone

Taranaki's RWC 2011 Fanzone will be an exciting way to get a unique experience of the Tournament. You will be able to meet friends and fellow fans and celebrate the Tournament in a festive atmosphere. Visitors and Taranaki residents will be able to watch all the main matches screen live at the official RWC 2011 Fanzone.
 
The Fanzone will be located in the Puke Ariki foyer and patio area outside Arborio. It will be free to enter, food and drink will be available through Arborio, and the main matches – including finals – will be shown on two large screens.  Entertainment will also be organised before the start of selected matches.
 
The Fanzone complements other activities such as the international village on Puke Ariki Landing, and entertainment scheduled at other bars and will be a great place to soak up the atmosphere and excitement RWC 2011 will bring to Taranaki.
 
Check out the full Fanzone timetable here.