Enjoy the test experience
Don't miss being part of history
Having the All Blacks play a Test in Nelson is the biggest sporting event to happen in our region since the Rugby World Cup. Match day itself is chock full of great things to see and do close to Trafalgar Park. There is a free NBS service to and from Nelson. Our advice is get in early – Gates Open at 5.30pm, teams are warming up at 6.45pm.
Download the Game Day Fan Trail Map
Download the FREE NBus Route Map
Download the Nelson App and use the GAME DAY button
Nelson City Council and NBus will be providing free buses into and out of Nelson from midday until midnight. The buses will be running along the usual NBus routes between Richmond and Nelson to and from Wakatu Square Carpark, which is a 10-minute walk away from Trafalgar Park. See the attached map for further details. Hop on the game Day Bus and make the most of the day and leave the driving and parking up to someone else!
Download the FREE NBus Route Map
Super Shuttle are also putting on extra shuttles from the 6th – 9th of September. They are offering special flat rates of $10 per person from the airport to Nelson City. These rates also apply to areas between the airport and city. Routes outside of this are also available at the shared rate. For further details or to book check out their website www.supershuttle.co.nz or call 0800 748 885. Super Shuttles will be in hot demand over this time, so prior booking is encouraged and airport passengers with bookings will be given preference.
Nelson City Taxis are fully prepared for the 8th of September too and prior bookings are recommended if you are planning on taking a taxi to or from the CBD on the day. Book online at www.nelsontaxis.co.nz or call 0800 10 88 55. Please note the street closures as taxis will not be able to take you directly to the Trafalgar park gates. Drop off areas close by include a temporary taxi stand outside Miller’s Acre carpark on Halifax Street and in Wakatu carpark.
If you are planning on driving to the game please leave plenty of time to get into the city, to park and to queue at the gates. The gates open at 5.30pm with entertainment including a live band and the All Black and Argentina teams warming up before kick-off at 7.30pm. There is parking available very close to Trafalgar Park in the city carparks, on Akerston Street at the Port and at Neale Park (unavailable if it is raining – please check the Nelson App for updates). There is NO public parking available at Rutherford Park or Wakatu Square Carpark - they are restricted to buses and coaches only. The attached maps show available parking.
Remember there is plenty to do throughout the afternoon in Nelson at the ‘EXPERIENCE RUGBY HISTORY’ All Blacks vs Argentina Game Day Fan Trail so hit town early and make a day of it!...
Entertainment:
1903 Square at the Top of Trafalgar Street
1.00pm: Serpico and Tuneshifter
1.30pm: Official Welcome
2.00pm: Buskadara
3.00pm: Press Roll
4.00pm: Konkoba
4.45pm: Drum Jam
Kicking off at 1.00pm on 1903 Square Stage will be an eclectic mix of some of Nelson’s most loved performers. Serpico and Tunesifter will be starting the celebrations; at 1.30pm there will be some welcome speeches from the Mayor Rachel Reese and the Argentinian Ambassador Mr Fausto Mariano López Crozet. We will also have a welcome from the Central School Kapahaka Group, a Haka from Nelson College and Tango Libre Dance School will also be performing.
Buskudara
Born on the streets of Nelson, this five piece pops up in unexpected corners to deliver grooves from around the world. They play anything from samba to funk, Indian and high energy klezma. It's a horns, percussion, and bass ensemble with the odd bit of guitar and violin and improvised solos to make you go Ooooooo.
Press Roll
Ryan Beehre (Serpico, ex-Minuit) and Martin Emo (DJ Tunesifter, Buskudara, HSBC) are a duo who perform new tunes carved from crate digging through jazz and funk records, electronic beats and bass lines, melded with live Trumpet, Rhodes keyboard and Electric Guitar. A "Press Roll" is a type of snare-drum fill played in Jazz and Funk which is the foundation for making their grooves. They have a special Latin set prepared based on time living in Latin America and Cuba. It's an energetic live show with a groove that is made for dancing.
Konkoba
Playing traditional West African instruments djembe, dunduns, bells and shekere, the Konkoba players deliver a set of high energy dance music. Metallic timelines, earthy bass drum beats, fiery solos and interlocking breaks combine in a sonic jigsaw to create polyrhythms which are designed to make your body move. From the hypnotic to the frenetic, this is interactive Village Style music where the lines between the players and audience are blurred. Get set to sweat.
After the Konkoba set there will be a facilitated "Drum Jam" to build the energy before the All Blacks vs Argentina game so come on down and bring your drum and connect with the crowd, join in and let the beat "entrain" you
Family Zone
The Family Zone outside the Nelson Provincial Museum in Hardy Street will have games and performance from 1pm. Flossie the Balloon Twister will also be there to keep the wee ones entertained.
The region’s most popular museum destination will be showcasing a range of rugby-related activities including….
A pop-up exhibition on the history of rugby in Nelson - location of the first rugby game to be played in NZ in 1870.
An ‘EXPERIENCE RUGBY HISTORY’ selfie photo competition with extraordinary prizes
Special offers in the Museum Shop.
Free face painting in your team colours for fans young and old.
Combine this with the gallery on the history of the region and the museum’s latest, highly interactive family exhibition A Century of Saying Cheese – Heritage Photography Rediscovered and you’ve got yourself a winner!
Pablo The Puzzle - two shows from 2pm
Pablo invites you to come solve The Puzzle, his exciting circus show featuring multi-award winning skills, off the wall humour and just a few safety concerns! Thinking out of the box, Pablo creates a unique, hilarious experience for all ages on all stages. Bring cash for these hard-working street performers.
A little further down Trafalgar Street besides the Argentinian food vendor, Viva La Vaca the Sambassadors will be playing their high energy, mix of drum music and encouraging you to get up and dance from 1.30pm and Tango Libre Dance School will also come down at around 2.15pm so look out for them while you grab a bite to eat or wander the shops.
Food and Drink - Nelson is open all day!
If you’re up for a little shopping before the game or feeling peckish the shops, restaurants and cafes will be open all day. Look out for the special game day deals they have planned.
We will also be bringing in some of your favourite food and market stalls from around region so there is something special for everyone. Trafalgar and Hardy will be bustling with activity, local arts and artisans and delicious foods to suit every taste.
There will be live entertainment from 1pm until late into the night at the Sprig and Fern in Hardy Street. Featuring some of Nelson’s best live bands; Lou Bragg, Don’t Fret and the Lee Fern Band (and special guests) it will be a great day! Urban Eatery and Char Bar and Grill will also be serving wonderful food all afternoon and evening. Wander up Hardy Street for a look during the afternoon, or head there after the game to join in the party.
The eateries at the top of Trafalgar Street will also be open all day, so you can sit outside and enjoy the afternoon’s entertainment. Stay and watch the game at one of the bars or have dinner at one of the outstanding restaurants.
You can enjoy some shopping and wonderful food from one of the Morrison Square restaurants in the Morrison Square Shopping and Dining Precinct.
See the map for locations of more restaurants and bars in Nelson – you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Later on…
Not going to the game but still want to watch it and be a part of the fun? You can watch the game at one of the following locations:
The Vic Brew Bar, Trafalgar Street
623 in the City, Bridge Street
Wakatu Hotel, Collingwood Street
The New Street Steakhouse, New Street
Lone Star, Hardy Street
The Prince Albert, Nile Street
Get the lowdown…
Visit the dedicated page on the Nelson Tasman website www.gamedaynelson.nz where you will find more information. Or download the Nelson App for loads of information, an opportunity to win and updates live from the 28th August.
It’s not too late!
A reminder for rugby fans to be in quick as there are still limited tickets available to the game. These can be purchased at the official ticketing outlets – Nelson i-Site, Beggs Music Works, ASB Theatre Blenheim – or online at www.allblacks.com.
Don't miss your chance to be part of rugby history!
