The New Zealand Olympic Committee has partnered with Auckland Unlimited to deliver its first New Zealand based fanzone, named NZHQ. Based at the Cloud on Auckland’s Queen’s Wharf during the 17-day Tokyo Olympic Games, the fanzone will provide a space for friends, whanau and supporters of the New Zealand Team to gather and support their team.
In announcing the NZHQ, New Zealand Olympic Committee Chief Executive Kereyn Smith acknowledged the considerable support of Team partners, especially Auckland Unlimited, in making this possible.
“As no international spectators are permitted in Tokyo to support their Teams, we wanted to provide a space for our Team’s friends and whanau to gather, connect with each other, and follow the Team. While it’s not the same as being there, it’s as close as we can get to our Team in Tokyo in these challenging Covid times.”
Mayor Phil Goff says it’s great that New Zealanders will have a dedicated fanzone to cheer on New Zealand’s Olympic athletes.
“Auckland’s waterfront precinct is a tried and tested home base for fans to flock to during major sporting events, with the America’s Cup earlier this year the most recent example.
“With new public spaces for Aucklanders and visitors from around the country to enjoy including the fantastic Te Wānanga harbourside park adjacent to Queens Wharf, fans will be catered to in a fun, safe and attractive environment. There will be a real buzz.”
The NZHQ will be open each day of the games from 23 July to 8 August. Free to the public and designed for supporters of all ages to share in the excitement of the Olympic Games, NZHQ will include have a go experiences, and multiple viewing areas streaming live all 12 channels of Sky Television coverage of the Games. Supporters will also be able to connect with our athletes live post competition, via an online link made possible by Sky and the NZ Olympic Committee.
In addition to being the base for Team sports, sponsors and supporters, there will be a number of events hosted in NZHQ during the Games, including a school programme that will see 6000 students from schools around the Auckland region visit the NZHQ and learn more about our New Zealand Team and the Olympic Games. NZHQ expects to host thousands of supporters over the duration of the Games from around New Zealand.
To find out more about NZHQ please contact the New Zealand Olympic Committee at events@olympic.org.nz
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