Pacific Events in Hamilton to mark Samoa-Tonga Match

Hamilton is staging a weekend of Pasifika events to celebrate Pacific culture and the blockbuster Rugby League World Cup (RLWC2017) match between Samoa and Tonga on November 4 at Waikato Stadium.

A Pasifika Fan Festival outside Waikato Stadium will showcase the best of Pacific Island culture as we countdown to kick-off on Saturday, 4 November.

Supporters of both teams will be able to pay thanks at the interdenominational church Service of Celebration the day after the match.

Andrea Nelson, RLWC2017 General Manager of New Zealand, said: “It is great that Hamilton is organising these events that will add even more atmosphere and colour to the Rugby League World Cup match between Samoa and Tonga.

“They will really enhance what is already a historic occasion as Hamilton hosts international rugby league for the first time.”

The Pasifika Fan Fest on Mill Street Field will include food, music, and dance with comedian Tofiga Fepulea’I as MC.

The weekend will culminate with Claudelands Event Centre hosting the Service of Celebration on Sunday for fans to come together after the match.

Chad Hooker, Director of Operations for H3 Group, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming large contingents of the North Island’s Pacific Islands communities to the city. Tonga-Samoa clashes in any sport are passionate affairs, and we want to add to that energy, passion and pride with our peripheral events.”

The RLWC2017 is the pinnacle of the international game and will be played across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from 27 October to 2 December this year.
 
It will be the biggest sporting event in the region during 2017. The world’s best players from 14 teams will play 28 games over five weeks in 13 cities across the three hosting countries.
 
For more information on these events visit hamiltonhostcity.co.nz.

Tournament tickets and information available rlwc2017.com.