The case for promoting Taranaki as an international events venue
New Zealand’s major event boss wants Taranaki to sell itself as a top place for international sports events.
Major events manager Kylie HawkerGreen relocated from Taupō last year when her husband, Gareth, took the top job at the New Plymouth District Council. The mother of three works remotely, with the role falling under the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Her team partners with sports organisations to host major events with international significance. While the department has no say on where events are held, it can support them through the Major Events Fund.
Part of the bidding process involves looking at where venues are situated, connectivity and accommodation – something the region had, she said.
“Taranaki is really well serviced with high-quality facilities. Another great thing Taranaki offers is the proximity of those facilities to the CBD. You can walk up to Yarrow [Stadium], the TSB Stadium and Pukekura Park. Not many cities can offer that.”
She said Taranaki could leverage off those strengths during its sales pitch when bidding for high-quality events.
While Hawker-green admitted that she was not fully across the Tūparikino Active Community Hub, she said she had been watching the redevelopment of Yarrow
Stadium and potentially Pukekura Park closely.
“I’ve had a chat to the team at Yarrow Stadium and encouraged them to have a look at what’s planned or coming to New Zealand over the next few years. It’s over to them to be proactive to try and secure the content.”
Since arriving in the province a year ago, the self-confessed sports nerd has already seen her fair share of top sport.
“I’ve been blown away by how much great sports content there is here. I loved the Breakers here, and I was looking forward to the Airs’ opener. There’s a real richness of sport here, which is great.”
She said she had noticed that sports were often better received and supported in the regions compared to the country’s main centres.
It’s something she has a qualified opinion on from her time on the Northern
Districts cricket board, which she chaired until November last year.
Hawker-green has now moved into rugby administration, appointed a director on the Taranaki Rugby Board at its AGM earlier this month.
“New Zealand is a great place for regional sport and there is a really strong heartland spirit. We have a good national distribution of content.”
She used Taranaki’s National Provincial Championship win in October as an example, saying it demonstrated that heartland support and the growing popularity of afternoon rugby.
But hosting large-scale events comes at a cost. Hawker-green said there might be some give and take, where a city might host one event at the expense of another.
“That’s the reality of the costs that come with that.”
Hosting large-scale sport in Taranaki was not only empowering to young fans, but was economically beneficial and provides a sense of community pride, she said.
“Those are the three hidden benefits beyond what’s happening on the field.”