Does Akaroa Still Support France?

Akaroa is a small town about an hour's drive from Christchurch, that was settled by the French in 1840. Walking around the streets, the French influence is still visible in street names, cafes and flags. How much hangover does France have on the town?  

On Sunday morning, the All Blacks fell 30-29 to Le Blue in the Stade De France stadium in Paris. Akaroa was full of rugby fans, but which side were they supporting? The original settlers or the current inhabitants? 

The Madeira Hotel was open from 8:30am, serving coffee and paninis with a big projector screen for everyone to watch the game. 

There was clearly a locals table, and no French jerseys in sight. Roger, one of the gentlemen at the table, was donning a Canterbury jersey and not a French bone in his body. He said I’d struggle to find anyone not supporting New Zealand. “We all love rugby, and we all support our kiwis, no chance for French support around here”. 

One local who was sat outside, Dave Hyatt, came to Akaroa 16 years ago from the UK. He said the French beat his Brits to securing the area – he is All Blacks through and through. Dave said “we (Great Britain) let them have it” with a bright grin on his face. 

Moving to a different venue, a few locals at The Duvauchelle Hotel had similar mindsets. 

Dave, who was camping at a nearby site, said he understands the French influence, but times have changed. “It’s a strong little kiwi town”. He said the All Blacks are engrained in many New Zealanders calendars; you always allow time when they’re playing on a Saturday night. In this case, it was a Sunday morning but the point stands.  

Speaking to the Hotel owner and bar manager Jessica, she said there’s rarely a French support crew. “When the All Blacks played Ireland last week, there were actually a significant number of Irish fans”.  

Comparing the turn out for the French team, it’s clear Akaroa left the support of its history to get behind our men in black.