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Christchurch is unlikely to bid for the Wellington Sevens rugby tournament when the hosting rights come up for tender.

After next year’s event in Wellington, there is a chance that, as with this weekend’s event in Las Vegas, the New Zealand leg could also move cities.

The New Zealand Rugby Union says it will accept tenders from other cities after next year's two-day party event – which is when the contract expires.

Dunedin and Auckland have expressed interest, but Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker all but ruled out a bid yesterday, saying the city's events calendar was "already really solid".

He suggested Auckland, which will become a super-city in November, will make a strong bid.

"The chances of it leaving Wellington are remote, but I suspect the super-city will have a huge shot at taking it away from them," said Parker.

Parker also believes Wellington will "fight tooth and nail" to keep the event, and the MP for Wellington Central has started a campaign to keep the New Zealand leg of the Rugby Sevens in his home town.

Auckland and Dunedin have also expressed interest in picking up the tournament, but Grant Robertson wants the event kept in the capital where he believes it has been a major success on a level neither Auckland nor Dunedin can match – with the Westpac stadium once again selling out in minutes this year. 

The Cake Tin witnessed Fiji taking home the spoils and it’s a tournament well known for its outrageous spectator costumes, beer drinking, decibel ringing atmosphere and best of all – exciting, attacking and explosive style of rugby.

Mr Robertson is calling on Sevens fans to sign his petition to show rugby authorities the unique event should stay put.

The NZI Sevens was both a success on and off the field. Fans were well behaved and the city, tournament organisers and Police were all delighted with the weekend.

“Overall we are thrilled with the success of the NZI Sevens. It’s hard to imagine how the event can get better but each year it does. The support from the teams, fans and volunteers is central to the tournament’s success and we are lucky that this continues to grow,"  said NZI General Manager Steve Walters.

David Perks, CEO of Positively Wellington Tourism was also pleased with the success of the tournament. “It does an immense amount for Wellington. We believe it brings over $15 million worth of new spend and some 45,000 people to the city. About half of those visitors have tickets to the event and the others come to town regardless because they know everyone will be celebrating Wellington-style when the tournament is on.”