Summer Concert Tour switches to Hamilton
Cyclone Gabrielle's legacy forces move from Whitianga
As the Coromandel works hard to fix its infrastructure after the recent severe weather, Cyclone Gabrielle has blown a big event opportunity Hamilton’s way.
The city will host the annual Summer Concert Tour in January, instead of Whitianga, with event organisers Greenstone Entertainment saying on Tuesday that the move was because of uncertainty over the Coromandel road network.
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate, a regular at the Summer Concert Tour events, says she feels for the Coromandel, but Hamilton will do a great job.
“My sympathies go to the Coromandel. They have been hit very hard . . . [and] are facing a hugely expensive fix-up . . . The concert was something they could look forward to. Having said that, Hamilton is great at hosting events, we’ve shown this time and time again. I know we will
do a great job.” The Summer Concert Tour is traditionally held in Queenstown, Taupō and Whitianga around Auckland Anniversary Weekend. Next year’s event originally scheduled for Whitianga will be held at Hamilton’s Claudelands Oval on January 28.
Greenstone Entertainment chief executive Amanda Calvert says the move from Whitianga to Hamilton would be for one year only and the organisation had “given a wealth of consideration” about where to hold the show.
“We love the Coromandel region, it aligns perfectly with our philosophy of bringing live music entertainment to some of New Zealand’s favourite summer holiday locations. By taking it to Hamilton we believe it will make it accessible for those in the immediate Hamilton region, as well as those travelling from the likes of Auckland and the Coromandel, along with offering
a range of accommodation options to choose from.”
Thames-coromandel Mayor Len Salt says the move is disappointing for the Whitianga community, businesses and the wider Coromandel.
“It doesn’t send a good signal to the business and event community
about investing in our district right now. There will be a hit to the local economy, as the event usually attracts a sellout crowd of up to 15,000 and provides a great economic boost at the end of the summer holidays.”
Hamilton City Council’s venues, tourism, and major events general manager Sean Murray says the concert will bring visitors from out of town and “an increased spend” in the city.
“We’re happy to have them. It’s a big opportunity for Hamilton and Claudelands Oval is becoming an increasingly popular venue.”
Southgate adds: “People from out of town will come and stay here, go to cafes and hopefully go and see our gardens or the zoo and leave thinking