13 Sep 2012

NZ capital to host AFL matches

6:13 am on 13 September 2012

New Zealand's capital is to host the first ever Australian Football League premiership match to be played outside Australia.

Wellington City Council has signed an agreement with the AFL and Melbourne club St Kilda.

It allows the St Kilda Saints to play some home games at Westpac Stadium - the first being against the Sydney Swans on 25 April (Anzac Day) next year.

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown hopes the event will entice business leaders over the Tasman which will lead to greater investment.

Ms Wade-Brown says the capital plans to host another two matches in both 2014 and 2015.