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Story: New Zealand identity

Giant rugby ball in Paris

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Giant rugby ball in Paris

In October 2007 the 2011 Rugby World Cup was marketed to Europeans with this massive rugby ball positioned in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Inside the ball visitors watched a 360-degree film which focused primarily on images of beautiful scenic New Zealand, designed to attract tourists. The way New Zealand was promoted to Europeans was quite different to the way it was experienced and understood by residents of New Zealand.

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How to cite this page

Fiona Barker, New Zealand identity – Understanding New Zealand national identity, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/34595/giant-rugby-ball-in-paris (accessed 5 June 2026).

Story by Fiona Barker, published 17 April 2012.