FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 given major event protection status

The Major Events Management Act (MEMA) provides protections to the organisers of major events and their sponsors. It is designed to address ambush marketing and certain other issues associated with the running of major events, such as ticket scalping and pitch invasion.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment’s General Manager of Major Events, Kylie Hawker-Green says the MEMA is an asset when it comes to securing hosting rights for global sporting or other international events.

“The Major Events Management Act contributes to our reputation as a country capable to host events which will run efficiently and without disruption, and where the rights of the owner and official sponsors will be protected,” says Kylie.

“To benefit from MEMA protections, an event organiser must apply for the event to be declared a major event under MEMA and demonstrate that the criteria set by the Act are met.”

The MEMA protection will cover the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Draw on 22 October 2022 in Auckland, the Play-off Tournament, a first of its kind, in February 2023, and the World Cup in July-August 2023.

The protection period will begin on 29 September 2022 and end on 19 September 2023.

During this time, businesses that aren’t sponsors of the event won’t be able to use certain words, phrases and emblems in advertising to avoid any suggestion that there is an association between that business and the event.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 (playing in 2022) was also declared a major event under the Major Events Management Act 2007 earlier this year. The protection period for that event will begin on 9 June 2022 and end on 12 December 2022.

More information about the Major Events Management (FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023) Order 2022 can be found on the New Zealand Legislation website.

Read more about the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 MEMA order(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

Read more about the Women's Rugby World Cup 2021 (playing in 2022) MEMA order(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

Find out where the clean zones are for the Women's Rugby World Cup 2021 (playing in 2022)(external link) — The New Zealand Gazette