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Through researching the sociological impacts of this event it is difficult to deny the mass impact this event has on New Zealand whether we are fans or not. I discovered that New Zealand invest hugely for this particular event purely because of it's rarity and the revenue that comes with it. New Zealand businesses flourish in this time and the economy boost is exceptional so it is justifiable as to why the government and businesses invest so hugely in preparation for this event. I also found that the influence of alcohol reflects on the statistics that show there are more incidents involving people intoxicated during these major event times. This is potentially detrimental however alcohol is a major business that has been amongst the Rugby culture for a long time and the revenue in which is brings allows it's influence to continue. I also found that events like this allow our tourist numbers to hugely fluctuate and the likelihood for these tourists to return to New Zealand increases and also brings our communities closer. In researching the impacts of this tour I have discovered that amongst the various sociological factors there are many pros and cons and the event manages to unite people however the DHL Rugby Lions Tour essentially is a huge business scheme for New Zealand.

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Stephen Jones' rugby commentary is often riddled with controversy, and his recent interview with Newstalk ZB is no exception, as he predicted an end to the Lions tours of New Zealand.

The tour brings a bout of life, revenue and healthy competition to New Zealand every twelve years, but if Jones' comments hold any weight, the Lions won't be back in 12 years' time.

"It's the player welfare that's nonsense," Jones told Newstalk ZB.

He slammed organisers for forcing the Lions to play a game within 72 hours of arriving and said they are smashed to bits by rugby as they weren't given any type of preparation.

"The Lions are magnificent, there's probably, what, 25,000 Lions fans down here? But there won't be another Lions tour unless New Zealand and the home authorities give them a chance to prepare properly," Jones said.

The Lions have had an unfavourable string of losses during the tour but Jones remained somewhat optimistic and said "they've been beaten by New Zealand on the field as yet - but let's be fair there's still two tests to go".

Wellington will host the second Test match of the three match series this Saturday at Westpac Stadium.

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Controversial Stephen Jones says unless Lions get chance to prepare, 2017 could be their final NZ tour

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Stephen Jones' rugby commentary is often riddled with controversy, and his recent interview with Newstalk ZB is no exception, as he predicted an end to the Lions tours of New Zealand. The tour brings a bout of life, revenue and healthy competition to New Zealand every twelve years, but if Jones' comments hold any weight, the Lions won't be back in 12 years' time.

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AusLeisure. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.ausleisure.com.au/news/new-zealand-rugby-2017-festival-to-deliver-economic-benefits/

AusLeisure. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.ausleisure.com.au/news/new-zealand-rugby-2017-festival-to-deliver-economic-benefits/

Devlin, C. (2017). $30m Lion's share for Wellington's economy from rugby double-header. Retrieved from http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/94058768/30m-lions-share-for-wellingtons-economy-from-rugby-doubleheader

Fallon, T. H. (2017). Lions tour: Fans pay four times the going rate to park campervans in Wellington. Retrieved from https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/94162068/lions-tour-wellington-charges-fans-four-times-the-going-rate-to-park-in-city

George, K. W. (2017). Your one-stop guide to the capital's Lions tour offerings. Retrieved from http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/93859761/your-onestop-guide-to-the-capitals-lions-tour-offerings

Harris, C. (2017). NZ cities prepare for the dollars and excitement of another Lions Tour. Retrieved from http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/92886084/NZ-cities-prepare-for-the-dollars-and-excitement-of-another-Lions-Tour

Harris, C. (2017). NZ cities prepare for the dollars and excitement of another Lions Tour. Retrieved from http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/92886084/NZ-cities-prepare-for-the-dollars-and-excitement-of-another-Lions-Tour

Lions fans set to boost Wellington economy. (2017, June 25). Retrieved from http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/333768/lions-fans-set-to-boost-wellington-economy

Mcbride, N. (2017). Rugby not all New Zealanders' national sport. Retrieved from https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/93550570/rugby-not-all-new-zealanders-national-sport

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Lions may not be back despite huge following

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Lions may not be back despite huge following

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The tour brings a bout of life, revenue and healthy competition to New Zealand every twelve years, but if Jones' (Lions head coach) comments hold any weight, the Lions won’t be back in 12 years' time. Jones' worries are for player welfare and he demands a change from New Zealand Rugby authorities to allow more time to prepare when they reach New Zealand. Majority of these players come off a heavy season with their club teams back home and to be thrown in the deep end and be expected to perform well is completely unrealistic for the majority of the players. Jones demands a shift so his players can return to New Zealand in the coming years in prime condition so they can dominate and essentially beat the All Blacks. It will bring about more hype as well if the Lions were to return in prime condition because they will be seen as solid competitors for the All Blacks.

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Drinking culture is hard-wired into rugby

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Drinking culture is hard-wired into rugby

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There is no questioning that the drinking culture is hugely active within the rugby community. With sponsors like Steinlager that are the main commercial partners for the New Zealand Rugby organisation it is difficult to deny that the drinking culture is hard-wired into rugby in New Zealand. With an expected 35,000 travellers to arrive in New Zealand for the Lions tour, New Zealand prepares our cities for the massive influx of people in their bars and pubs. New Zealand bars and pubs import International beer from Britain and Ireland to cater for the fans. They are having pop up bars and beverage showcases in the fan zones. There will be alcoholic beverages available at all matches for fans to buy. It is highly evident that drinking is hugely active within the rugby communities and fan groups. Statistics show that throughout the time of major events there are more incidents of altercations with people under the influence of alcohol showing that the fact alcohol is heavily involved with events like this it is potentially detrimental. This does not go to say that drinking is a bad thing and it does not permit the assumption that everyone who plays or watches rugby consumes alcohol. Essentially, it can grow businesses, allow people to have a fun time but it can also be potentially harmful in the long run.

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In 2015 New Zealand rugby suffered a total overall loss of $463,000.
The loss was much more than the central union expected and the organisation had invested a record high amount in the Rugby World Cup year, driven by it's desire to win back to back titles. It also increased the funding allocated for the two national sevens team in preparation for Rio as it was the first time the sport had featured within the olympics. The income in 2015 rose to 11% however the costs increased to 12% essentially causing a loss. According to the 2016 New Zealand rugby annual reports, it shows that in total they received an overall income of $133,818. Meaning New Zealand has now returned to profitability after posting annual losses since 2008. With the inclusion of the British Lions tour in 2017, which practically defecates money, and the increase of travellers coming to New Zealand for the tour in comparison to the previous tour on 2005 which contributed $20.4M , New Zealand rugby can expect a much greater income.

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The launch of a Rugby festival to run alongside the Lions tour is aimed to provide activities for fans and a chance for communities and fans to enjoy the series which is a unique occasion to enjoy and celebrate rugby and reinforce our ability to host major events and showcase New Zealand to the world. The economic benefits to New Zealand when the British & Irish Lions last toured here in 2005 were considerable. Ticket sales totalled 355,000 and there were over 431,000 international visitor bed nights. There was also an estimated local television audience of over 3.5 million for the three tests. Rugby 2017 Festival will be a nationwide celebration that showcases our culture and aims to include as many New Zealanders as possible to be involved in providing our own unique kiwi hospitality to international visitors. To help enhance the fan experience there will be a fan zone on Queens Wharf in Auckland to coincide with the test matches, with live match screenings, performances, exhibitions, food and beverage showcases. Some of the other host cities will also have their own fan zones. The Rugby Festival is to ensure New Zealand is perceived to be a beautiful country. The investment of $3M from the government shows that we want to showcase the best of what New Zealand has to offer, so this money is provided to enhance and better prepare our cities and their attractions.

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There's no escaping the surge of interest in the British and Irish Lions' presence on New Zealand's sporting landscape this month. New Zealand cities prepare not only for the dollars but the excitement of another Lions tour. In Whangarei 90% of the 20,000 tickets were sold and accommodation on the night was already sold out. The Lions had not played in Whangarei since 1993 so the expectation is that this tour will replicate the previous tour in 2005 which was a complete and utter success! The event creates excitement and vibrancy throughout the community and the local's benefit out of it, not financially but that feel-good factor. Although the previous Lions tour did not have a game played in Whangarei, they found that it still brought a lot of tourists through their town and some of the fans even brought their friends and family back in the next 18 months post to the Lions tour in 2005. Rotorua's Maori cultural and geothermal centre Te Puia also prepares for a "better than normal mid-winter flush of business" leading up to the Lions vs Maori All Blacks match on June 2017. The chief executive of Te Puia, Tim Cossar says that they will notice a significant benefit and suggests that others will as well. The Lions tour is one of the biggest events to ever be held in New Zealand! And it will be more than just a game, it will be good business for various businesses all around New Zealand. Tourism in New Zealand is a much bigger industry than it was in 2005, so essentially New Zealand has more to offer in this area and this will ultimately attract more people and will bring these tourists back to New Zealand in the future. It is much more than just a game, New Zealand will showcase their attractions, they will enhance attractions around New Zealand and prepare well for visitors into New Zealand throughout this period of time to ensure a positive time for tourists in New Zealand so that they will be sure to visit again. It is important to New Zealand to ensure that tourists have a good time so when they reflect on their visit to New Zealand they can say that New Zealand is a great country. The Lions tour is an opportunity to showcase New Zealand as a country and to impress visitors so they are inclined to return and visit New Zealand again. Hence the $3M the government had contributed in preparation for this event.

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The lions tour will consist of the following matches:

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The department of internal affairs have launched a new All Black designed birth certificate. At the cost of $35 you or your child could get their very own decorative birth certificate. The department of internal affairs believe that this would be a great way for New Zealanders to show their support for the All Blacks. As if the fact that Rugby is New Zealand's national sport is quite enough. The assumption that all Kiwi's love rugby is false. According to Auckland university associate professor Toni Bruce whom researched whether all New Zealander's actually love rugby found that a vast majority of New Zealander's are not interested in rugby AT ALL! Having this All Black themed birth certificate may be potentially detrimental to a child as they are being born into this culture that they must be in support of or involved in rugby in New Zealand. Children may not feel that they can easily express themselves and may feel obliged to be supportive of rugby as this birth certificate is essentially apart of their identity.

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The Lions tour has been a money making pursuit since 1888.The previous tour in 2005 which consisted of 11 matches contributed a wealthy $20.4 million dollars to New Zealand Rugby and an approximate $250M to New Zealand’s economy. Statistics from New Zealand rugby annual report in 2005 support that the Lions tour practically defecates money and contributes heavily to New Zealand’s economy. The Lions tour is one of the biggest events to ever be held in New Zealand, it attracts people from all around the world and brings in a significant amount of money to go towards New Zealand's economic growth. In 2005 Lions tour where approximately 20,000 fans travelled around New Zealand following the tour, led to a "$65M windfall in foreign exchange gains and an economic boon of $140M to the country's tourism" (Meagher,2017). With an estimate of 35,000 travelers this time around the economic benefit is expected to greater. Anticipating that the Lions tour will deliver significant economic benefits, the government has allocated $3M from it's major events development fund to ensure that the seven host cities showcase what the country have to offer. My question in response to this is why is this funding being given without the consideration of more important issues/events in New Zealand for example the housing crisis in NZ etc. I am challenging this as there is a more important need of funding for more critical issues in New Zealand.

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The British and Irish lions are a combined rugby team made up of the best players from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland. This team has been visiting the Southern Hemisphere since 1888 playing provincial and national teams of New Zealand and Australia, however did not visit New Zealand in particular until 1904 and have been touring New Zealand every 12 years since then. This particular tour (2017) will mark the 11th tour where the Lions have visited New Zealand the last time being in 2005. The Lions rugby team tour New Zealand every 12 years and is widely popular not only throughout New Zealand but globally. Due to such rarity the tour engages a wide scope of international visitors and fans of New Zealand and British/Irish rugby. The core of this padlet will consist of the sociological factors that contribute to the successes and impact of this tour on the New Zealand society.

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Rugby, not all New Zealander's national sport.

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Rugby, not all New Zealander's national sport.