Two ''Lotto Villages'' in Queenstown and Wanaka will form central meeting places for athletes and spectators during next month's Winter Games New Zealand.
Lotto New Zealand has announced, as part of its games sponsorship, it will create ''games-centric'' villages beside Lakes Wakatipu and Wanaka for the duration of the games, from August 15 to 25. The Queenstown village will be in Earnslaw Park, while its Wanaka equivalent will be next to the Lake Wanaka Centre.
All the medal ceremonies will take place in the villages, which will include bar facilities, where guests can enjoy refreshments and live entertainment.
Lotto New Zealand's chief executive Wayne Pickup said the games offered a ''great chance to connect with the community in a fun environment''.
Games chief executive Arthur Klap said the Lotto sponsorship enabled organisers to create the ''strongest ever'' downtown presence and to engage more with the local community and visitors.
''The twin Lotto Villages in Queenstown and Wanaka add a new dimension to the games and will be the place to be off the mountain,'' Mr Klap said.
