“Some IMPORTANT Information for those attending the New Zealands Sevens on Friday/Saturday”
With the energy and excitement of the Hertz Sevens tournament finally hitting the capital – top of mind is a range of tighter controls on fan behavior to ensure everyone enjoys the action on and off the field.
The tournament will again be enforcing a stricter policy on alcohol management, introducing wristbands for ticket holders who are 18 and over. Fans can only drink at the stadium if they have a wristband and anyone caught smuggling alcohol into the event will lose their ticket for both days of the tournament.
Wristbands will be supplied as fans enter the stadium and for those under 25, appropriate identification will be required. This will be combined with the bag searches and increased assessment for intoxication.
Once inside, wristbands will be removed if patrons are displaying drunken behaviour or if they are an obvious nuisance. Patrons will also be removed from the stadium if they’re caught drinking without a wristband.
“We want everyone to have a great time, but be responsible. Wristbands will mean we can all keep an eye on those who are eligible to drink and ensure everyone is pacing themselves,” said Hertz Sevens General Manager, Steve Walters.
“We’re focused on making the entire experience even more enjoyable for everyone with non-stop world-class Sevens rugby and great entertainment, and with free water available throughout the tournament we can contribute further a safe drinking environment.”
Inspector Simon Perry, Sevens Operation Commander, says Wellington Police have been working with the Hertz Sevens team to ensure the event is fun and incident-free. “Sevens fans will notice an extra Police presence, not only in and around the stadium, but along Wellington’s Waterfront and other parts of the central city.”
The Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA) and the Wellington Hospital Emergency are also working to ensure the safety of the fans.
“Our Safer City triage centres will be there throughout the Sevens to help people who may be in need of immediate medical assistance. We do encourage people to enjoy the party and drink responsibility so that they won’t need to come and see us,” said WFA’s Acting Service Delivery Manager Graeme Quinn.
“Nobody goes out expecting to end up in the back of an ambulance, but it’s the little things, like not eating enough or drinking enough water, that tend to ruin peoples’ weekends,” said emergency medicine specialist Dr Paul Quigley.
“Sever sun burn is going to be a big issue this year and wearing hot costumes can cause heat stroke and exhaustion, which is made worse by alcohol.”
Security staff will remind ticket holders as soon as they reach the Fran Wilde Walkway that the city liquor ban is in place and fans will need to dispose of all alcohol immediately.
Pass outs will also be stopped at 6pm and only empty water bottles can be brought into Westpac Stadium. Free water will again be available from water coolers on the concourse and our popular water boys and girls will be back.
Information for fans:
Where do I get my wristband from?
Wristbands can be collected from the marques outside the entry gates. Don’t forget to pick up a wristband on Saturday as well.
Wristband rules:
– Fans must wear wristbands on right arm at all times.
– There will be a different wristband for each tournament day.
– If you look under 25, identification is required.
Stadium reminders:
– No beverages of any kind can be brought in. This includes water, alcohol, soft drinks, bottles, glass, cans and thermos flasks.
– You can bring in an empty plastic water bottle (max size 1 litre) and fill it at the water coolers on the concourse.
– No large bags, bag searches will be conducted before entry
– No pass outs after 6pm on both days.
– No alcohol is allowed to be consumed in public areas of the city or on the Fran Wilde Walkway
Any breach of entry rules will result in refused entry or eviction.
Note: Appropriate identification as mentioned for entry into the stadium includes passport, HANZ 18+ or NZ driving license as compliant with the law.
