The first game of the DHL NZ Lions Series 2017 will kick-off today, marking a month of action packed rugby around New Zealand.

The New Zealand Lions Series 2017 will take place from today to July 8, and will see the British & Irish Lions rugby team play ten matches against New Zealand in seven host cities, including three test matches.

The series starts when the Lions take on the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians at Whangarei's Toll Stadium.

'The NZ Lions Series is an iconic rugby event which has significant local and international interest,” says Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.

'The Government has committed $3 million from the Major Events Development Fund to support the series. This is going towards a range of leveraging opportunities including a school curriculum programme and Rugby 2017 Festival which will help host cities showcase New Zealand culture.

'The last Lions Series in 2005 was hugely successful, attracting more than 20,000 international visitors staying more than 431,000 nights in total. The overall positive impact on GDP was estimated at $135 million.

The Festival programme is available online at www.rugby2017festival.com

With the Lions series being a topic high on New Zealand's media radar, SunLive thought it would be a great time to ask people in the community what they thought of the series.

Watch the video above to see what people had to say.