January 19 - Cadbury has announced that it has signed a sponsorship deal with the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) for the Vancouver 2010 Games, which start next month, and London 2012.



The deal was announced on the day that Cadbury was taken over by Kraft Foods in a £12 billion deal.

The sponsorship with the NZOC follows Cadbury's deal last August to become a £20 million Tier Two sponsor of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and the decision to sponsor the Australian Olympic Committee.

Cadbury New Zealand managing director Matthew Oldham said: "The Olympic Games are, without question, the world’s greatest event, and we are delighted that our sponsorship will contribute towards helping our New Zealand athletes achieve their dreams and hopefully deliver the most successful Olympic campaigns New Zealand has ever seen."

NZOC secretary general Barry Maister was pleased to renew the partnership with Cadbury, who had sponsored New Zealand's team at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

He said: "Cadbury has been making chocolate in New Zealand since the days of Jack Lovelock in the 1930s.

"We’re delighted Cadbury New Zealand will support our Olympic teams to Vancouver and London enabling us to help our athletes make New Zealand proud.”

Oldham said: "It is our hope that through Cadbury, many more people will be engaged in the spirit and values of the Olympic Games, inspired to get out and participate in sport themselves, and cheer our magnificent New Zealand Olympic team home to glory and make Vancouver 2010 and London 2012, the most successful Olympic Games ever for New Zealand."


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