Published: 30 June 2026
Hutt City Council and sports events organisation Global Games have signed a three-year agreement to bring the Global Games National Junior Girls Rugby Festival to Lower Hutt from 2027.
These annual rugby festivals have grown into one of New Zealand’s largest junior rugby events, regularly bringing together more than 60 teams from across the motu, with girls aged eight to 14 competing over a festival weekend.
Hutt City Council is proud to be working with Global Games supporting their mission to connect and empower one million people through the transformative power of sport and community.
The 2027 event will coincide with one of the biggest events in international women's rugby, the British and Irish Women's Lions tour to New Zealand. The tour includes a test against the Black Ferns at Hnry Stadium on 18 September 2027.
Lower Hutt Mayor Ken Laban says hosting the three festivals will provide significant benefits for the city, injecting an estimated $3.6 million into the local economy.
"This event will attract thousands of young players, families and supporters from across New Zealand to Lower Hutt. They'll stay in our accommodation, eat in our cafes and restaurants, shop in our businesses and experience everything our city has to offer.
"Just as importantly, it reinforces Lower Hutt as a premier destination for major community sporting events. We know the positive impact these events have, not only economically, but in creating energy, pride and excitement across our city.”
Global Games founder Tyrone Campbell says the National Junior Girls Rugby Festival was first held in Lower Hutt in 2025.
“We’re delighted to be bringing the NZ Junior Girls Rugby Festival back to Lower Hutt.
“The success of the 2025 event, combined with the outstanding support from Hutt City Council, local rugby clubs and the wider community, made Lower Hutt the obvious choice. The city has fantastic facilities, a strong sporting culture, and is a wonderful place to host young players and families from across the country
“We’re excited to continue building a festival that inspires young people, creates lasting memories, and celebrates everything that is great about community sport.”
Entries for the 2027 festival are expected from across New Zealand, with organisers anticipating one of the biggest celebrations of girls' rugby ever held in Lower Hutt.
“Together, we look forward to helping more young players take part in rugby while building sportsmanship, enjoyment and friendship,” Mayor Laban says.