Events help Hamilton's economy post-covid

Monday, 22 June 2020

The Chiefs first home game attracted a crowd of over 23,000 people to Waikato Stadium

The reintroduction of Super Rugby to Hamilton has brought pre-covid crowds back the central city and businesses are hoping it continues with more events on the calendar.

Over 23,000 people attended the match at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday night.

The Chiefs clash with the Blues resulted in some businesses welcoming numbers through the door at the same level as pre-covid while occupancy in some hotels jumped to 75 per cent.

The near sellout crowd braved the wet and cold conditions to see the Chiefs go down to the Blues 24-12.

Vanessa Williams, general manager of the Hamilton Business Association

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Hamilton Central Business Association General Manager Vanessa Williams said it has left the business sector feeling a lot more positive.

“The CBD hotels were full which was great to have an event that is so supportive to the accommodation sector is fantastic.'

Williams said businesses were looking ahead to the Chiefs hosting two more games in the regular season.

John Lawrenson is feeling more confident after business picked up with the reintroduction of Super Rugby

'They hope they get a lot of people in to support those games, like the Hurricanes supporters coming from out of town and staying the night and enjoying the hospitality the evening before or at the very least coming into town and eating before going to the game.'

She believes events like rugby are important to kick-start to the local economy.

“Certainly the recognition of having these big events and smaller events and conferences, these are all things that bring people in, but we definitely want a calendar year full of events.'

Hamilton Airport CEO Mark Morgan said the Hamilton Airport Hotel benefited from the Chiefs game with occupancy jumping to 75 per cent.

“It was strong. Any event based activity will be really good for all the hotels in the region, good for us,' Morgan said.

Passenger numbers are improving with Air New Zealand increasing their scheduling, he said, especially with the July school holidays fast approaching.

“The domestic market for Air New Zealand is stronger than they predicted and stronger than we had anticipated. But what we don't know as a nation is this a pent-up demand as opposed to long returned sustainable recovery? It's just too early to make that determination.”

Lawrenson Group chief executive John Lawrenson, who runs several bars and restaurants in Hamilton said the rugby had allowed his businesses to enjoy strong consecutive weekends.

'After a good opening weekend of level one it was good to follow it up with another solid weekend. Obviously some of our venues had been shut for 11 weeks, so they were able to get good numbers which definitely helps with things,' Lawrenson said.

His bars are getting back to similar levels pre-covid which is a relief for Lawrenson who two months ago was discussing the liquidation of his entire group.

'We are getting some good nights and people are back out and celebrating and spending money again. It is generally a lot better place than I thought we were going to be when I look back a couple of months.

'It is only early days we have had only two weekends but if the weekends were to continue then I think we will be looking pretty good,' Lawrenson said.

Waikato University's Associate Professor in Economics Michael Cameron said events like the rugby probably have a very small effect on the economy.

“The reality is if we take the Chiefs game… it is still only one night and not all of those people are spending other than going to the game. The actual impact when you look at the economy on the whole is probably very, very small,” Cameron said.

He said what would improve the local economy is people spending on a day-to-day basis.

The Chiefs have another three home games during the regular season, hosting the Hurricanes on July 5, Highlanders July 19, and the Crusaders on August 1.

The ANZ Netball premiership also began at the weekend and while the majority of matches are in Auckland Waikato/ Bay of Plenty Magic will host three home games in August, 2, 3 and 9.

Those keen to go to a concert again have snapped up tickets to Kiwi L.A.B who are playing at Claudelands on July 11. This has already sold out.

The Home and Garden show is on October 1 to 4.