Watch the time, rugby fans!

5 September 2011

Fans attending or watching a television broadcast of three Rugby World Cup matches on Sunday 25 September could miss the kickoff if they forget to adjust their watches the night before.

New Zealand daylight saving starts on the last Sunday in September each year, when time advances an hour at 2.00am to 3.00am. The change provides an extra hour of daylight in the evenings and will run from Sunday, 25 September 2011, to Sunday, 1 April 2012.

Three RWC pool matches are scheduled for 25 September – Fiji v Samoa at 3.30pm in Auckland, Ireland v Russia at 6.00pm in Rotorua and Argentina v Scotland at 8.30pm in Wellington.

People may find it convenient to advance their clocks by one hour before going to bed on Saturday 24 September. The change to daylight saving is also an opportune time for residents to check their household emergency plans, survival kits and home smoke alarms.

Full background on daylight saving in New Zealand can be found the Department of Internal Affairs website at:
http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Daylight-Saving-Index?OpenDocument

Media contact:
Trevor Henry, senior communications adviser, Department of Internal Affairs
Ph 04 495 7211; cell 0275 843 679