The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) says it is enforcing "clean zones" at the venues for all matches involving the British and Irish Lions.

MBIE says that "with the exception of a small group of individuals selling unauthorised goods" there have been low levels of ambush marketing in clean zones so far.

The DHL NZ Lions Series 2017 has been declared a "major event" under the Major Events Management Act 2007 which restricts trading and advertising within direct proximity to match venues.

MBIE's General Manager Tourism, Sectors, Regions and Cities, Iain Cossar, says MBIE is currently investigating a small number of incidents involving the sale of merchandise that have an unauthorised association with the Lions Series.

“Three to four individuals have been seen selling unauthorised goods in both Christchurch and Dunedin before the Lions Series matches. MBIE, with the support of Police, has seized goods from these individuals in both locations. We are currently investigating these incidents as MBIE has responsibility for enforcing the Act,” he says.

“MBIE will continue to take a no-tolerance approach to the sale of unauthorised goods that exploit the Lions Series and will continue to work closely with local council’s and other government agencies to stop this activity."

Under the Act, Lions Series sponsors have exclusive rights of association in return for their investment. This includes protections from unauthorised commercial exploitation of the event, specifically including: unauthorised association with the event, ticket-scalping, trading in a clean zone, and advertising in, or visible from, a clean zone.