Rugby boon for capital economy

Hospitality and business experts are picking a possible October Bledisloe rugby test match in Wellington to boost the region.

On Thursday, it was reported the first Bledisloe Cup test was tentatively scheduled for October 10 in the capital.

However, this date has not been confirmed by NZ Rugby.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Sky Stadium was on track to host an All Blacks test match in August.

Stadium chief executive Shane Harmon said: ‘‘Nothing is locked in at the moment. We have tentative dates on potential matches but there is still a lot of water under the bridge. We are prepared to host if and when we are given the opportunity.’’

Harmon said Sky Stadium was taking a flexible approach for test match rugby.

‘‘There are two main issues: massgatherings and open borders.

‘‘We have clearly achieved the first one and that allows us to host domestic content for large venues but most of our normal events require open borders for concerts and games in their normal state and form,’’ Harmon said.

‘‘We are hopeful over the next coming weeks and months to tackle these things – concerts, sports and All Blacks games are significant contributors to the bottom line for venues in terms of the local economy such as bars, hotels.’’

It was typical for an All Blacks test match to bring about 40 per cent of people to Wellington from outside the region, he said.

Wellington Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Milford said rugby test matches brought great benefits and millions of dollars to the city. ‘‘I have no doubt that we could sell out the stadium.’’

The tests were one of the city’s sporting highlights and if a match did take place in October, it would coincide with Wellington On A Plate, he said.

‘‘Having all those events happening will draw many more people into the city.’’

Hospitality NZ Wellington branch president Matt McLaughlin said having a test in Wellington was something the local hospitality industry could always hang its hat on. ‘‘The bars are full, the hotels are full .. . it is four days of super-busy trade – people come to town on Thursday and go shopping, have dinner and beers, then it is a massive Saturday, and prior to flying out, a lot of people will go to brunch.’’

A test match weekend helped the industry get through winter and stores usually made double what they normally turned over that week, he said.

With the country in alert level 1, the hospitality industry had been trading well so far but it was aware there were tougher times to come.

‘‘We are happy with the way things are bouncing back but we are still sitting in the honeymoon phase.’’

A spokesperson for the Park Hotel on Lambton Quay said the weekend of October 10 was looking to be one of its most successful post Covid-19 weekends.

‘‘Sport – especially rugby – is one of the most important drivers of leisure accommodation in this city.’’

‘‘I have no doubt that we could sell out the stadium.’’

John Milford

Wellington Chamber of Commerce