Stadium Christchurch could have been repaired for the Rugby World Cup, but the timetable would have been too tight and earthquake aftershocks could have derailed the work, event manager Vbase told organisers in a letter yesterday.
Labour leader Phil Goff has called for the Prime Minister to "come clean" about whether Christchurch will be ready to host Rugby World Cup games.
Auckland is set to host more Rugby World Cup games, including two quarterfinals, with quake-affected Christchurch looking likely to lose its matches, the Weekend Herald has learned.
Fans leaving Forsyth Barr Stadium after watching Rugby World Cup matches could find themselves shut out of Dunedin's bars.
The Government will have initial reports on whether AMI Stadium in Christchurch could be used for Rugby World Cup games by the end of the week, Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully says.
Engineering reports expected in coming days on Christchurch's earthquake-damaged AMI Stadium will determine whether the city can play host to the Rugby World Cup.
The Christchurch earthquake is likely to have little effect on Rugby World Cup tourism but the games must be shifted from the shattered city, actor and travel writer Tim Bentinck says.
There is still a chance the Rugby World Cup will go ahead in Christchurch, Prime Minister John Key says.
A group of Dunedin bar owners hope to establish their own Octagon fan zone for Rugby World Cup matches.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key believes it is important Christchurch remains a venue for this year's Rugby World Cup as a demonstration that the city is returning to its feet after yesterday's devastating earthquake.
The chief executive of the Canterbury Rugby Union has doubts whether Christchurch can host its Rugby World Cup fixtures after yesterday's deadly earthquake.
Former All Black Josh Kronfeld has turned presenter for a Dunedin television feature expected to reach a global audience of up to 100 million viewers.
Queenstown residents keen to be a part of the 2011 Rugby World Cup as local volunteers should register online as soon as possible, the Queenstown Lakes District Council says.
Dunedin's Rugby World Cup spruce-up could include the removal of 25 homes and some tenants might be required to leave.
It was an email asking for more than $1500 but Pete Thomson did not have to wait a second to say yes.
Forsyth Barr Stadium has been given a very important tick by some very important people.
Fans and media following their beloved rugby teams from England, Ireland and Romania will have "an immediate business impact" on Queenstown and boost its profile as a sports tournament training ground, Destination Queenstown and Lakes Leisure say.
Dunedin's community boards have started identifying spots where a ban on freedom campers may be lifted.
Security screening requirements around the Rugby World Cup are expected to add thousands of cases to the stretched workload of the Security Intelligence Service - which is already in disrepute over lapses in its vetting of fantasist and former Defence chief scientist Stephen Wilce.
The Rugby World Cup will be a significant economic driver to New Zealand this year, adding about $700 million to the economy in the six weeks of the event, Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard says.
