Ahead of the Lions tour which kicks off in June, a few All Blacks have taken a break from training to show visiting fans what’s on offer in Auckland as part of a ‘Secret Training Ground’ campaign for Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) by Augusto.
All Blacks’ props Charlie Faumuina and Ofa Tu’ungafasi, and loose forward Elliot Dixon play tour guides in the near minute-long video, showing viewers their secret training spots across Auckland in a tongue-in-cheek way. The bungee jump off the Harbour Bridge helps with resistance training, Waiheke Island ziplining works for speed training, the city’s restaurants provide good nutrition and its cultural events give the team some balance.
ATEED general manager of visitor and external relations Steve Armitage says Auckland is expecting around 20,000 visiting British and Irish Lions fans in June and July, and the campaign sets out to highlight the extensive range of experiences Auckland offers outside of game times.
“We want to make sure they know how to make the most of their time in Auckland,” he says.
“The campaign shows off Auckland’s stunning landscapes, exciting activities like bungy jumping and ziplining, diverse dining options, and the melting pot of cultural activity happening within Auckland.
“By showing how much the region offers and how accessible it is we hope they end up staying longer and spending more while they are here.”
To reach those visitors, the video has been shared online through allblacks.com, All Blacks Tours, Lions Rugby Tours and ATEED’s own social channels, reaching a combined audience of 4.5 million.
The campaign will run until July.
