ASB and the 2017 DHL New Zealand Lions series

ASB was proud to be an official sponsor of the 2017 DHL New Zealand Lions series. Few sporting events capture the minds and hearts of New Zealanders the way a national Lions tour can.

ASB was delighted to be involved in numerous activities across the six-week series including sponsoring the 650-strong group of volunteers that helped ensure the 10-match series ran smoothly.

Series volunteers worked in a variety of roles in the host cities within stadiums, fan zones and transport hubs.

ASB hosted thank-you morning teas for Auckland and Wellington-based volunteers which saw All Blacks players attend as surprise guests.

ASB Donation Balls raised $40,000 for Starship

ASB created a set of rugby ball payment terminals to follow the tour across New Zealand and raise money for Starship Foundation, the official charity of the 2017 DHL New Zealand Lions series.

The balls were fitted with a Smartpay mobile EFTPOS terminal so fans could tap their contactless-enabled credit and debit cards to make an automatic $3 donation to the children's hospital.

We raised more than $40,000 for Starship, which will go towards upgrades to the emergency department.

ASB has been an official partner of the Starship Foundation for 25 years.

ASB Young Leaders Rugby Experience

ASB also rewarded more than 50 ambitious male and female student rugby players across New Zealand with an ASB Young Leaders Rugby Experience.

The once-in-a-life-time experience included attending a pre-match captain's run and a leadership breakfast with former All Blacks.

ASB Snapchat lens

To celebrate the premier All Blacks v British & Irish Lions test match, ASB created the first locally-produced Snapchat lens.

The rugby-themed lens gave Snapchatters an All Black headband and a silver fern on their cheeks, before a ball entered the screen to splatter their face with mud.

See how much fun we had across the six-week series in the video below.