Superstocks rake in millions
The popular Superstock Teams Champs pumped millions of dollars into the Manawatu economy this year.
A new report has revealed February’s two-day event was worth $3.7 million to the region.
More than 14,000 people attended, with 69 per cent of those travelling from outside of Manawatu.
Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith said the champs likely brought in more people than the Wellington rugby sevens and any New Zealand city running an event would be proud of the numbers Manawatu saw, he said.
Smith said Palmerston North may not have a seaside or lake, but it did well to bring in so many people through events like the champs, the Rural Games, Nitro Circus and Jimmy Barnes.
But there was room in the future to capitalise more on visitors to the region attending such events, he said.
Smith said it was important to create a ‘‘collaborative type of event’’, where retailers, businesses and those in hospitality were working together to make the experience of visitors enjoyable.
‘‘It’s a conversation we are keen to have.’’
The report was commissioned by the Central Economic Development Agency.
Its conventions and events executive Phil Hildred said 28 per cent of attendees from outside of Manawatu stayed in commercial accommodation.
Most visitors stayed with friends and family.
That 28 per cent – 2700 people – filled most hotels and motels in the city that weekend, he said.
Event organiser Bruce Robertson said the champs were a powerhouse event for Palmerston North and Manawatu.
‘‘It’s extremely important to the economy of the region,’’ he said.
Manawatu mayor Helen Worboys said accommodation in Feilding was fully booked during the champs.
She agreed opportunities were available for the regions to capitalise on events by encouraging visitors to go shopping, and visit outdoor areas and heritage sites.
Further discussions about how to best achieve this were taking place, she said.
Hospitality New Zealand regional manager Chris Hince said it was by far one of the busiest weekends of the year for most moteliers and hoteliers in the city.
Visitors spent about $160 a day in the region while attending the event, the report said.
Of the 14,000 visitors, about 12 per cent were from Wellington, 12 per cent from Taranaki, about 10 per cent from Waikato and almost 9 per cent from Hawke’s Bay.
Others attended from as far afield as Christchurch, Whangarei and Tasman.
About 377 ticket holders took part in an online survey for the report. The last economic impact report of the Superstock Team Champs was carried out in 2009 by the Palmerston North City Council.
It found the event’s economic impact was $1.6m, but its calculations were done differently. REGION: Canoe polo is making a splash in Manawatu as some of the country’s best exponents of the water sport gather to show their skills and push for national honours.