LEADER COLUMN FEBRUARY 2013

There’s no doubt that event tourism is great for Whangarei and Northland. This month we have seen a number of sporting and cultural events that have added to the vibrancy of the town and provided a positive show case for the region. These events help grow our regional economy and cater to all sectors of our community. They allow our businesses, sports people and artists to showcase themselves on a national or international stage. In a very short time we will know if Whangarei District Council has been successful in their bid to have Whangarei city be one of New Zealand’s host venues for the 2015 Fifa Under-20 World Cup. Being broadcast across 200 countries with a potential audience of 500 million people this is a very significant event. There is stiff competition from 8 other New Zealand towns vying for the honour of being a host city and the opportunities that hosting such an event presents. This is a truly international event that would put Whangarei, its environment, tourism infrastructure and sense of place on the world stage. It is also an affirmation of what was stated leading into the Rugby World Cup 2012 by many commentators that to be truly successful a major event needs to leave a legacy that extends past the short-term gains that evaporate as soon as the visitors leave for home. In hosting games during RWC2011 Whangarei was given the opportunity to show that our district and Northland as a whole are capable and have the capacity to host international events. It also acted as an impetus for the completion of a number of minor civic projects that greatly improved the amenity of many of our local communities. When Whangarei hosts any such event -whether it be national or international- the attending participants and their supporters make a significant contribution to our economy. They discover more about our region, our people and our culture. They see the real New Zealand. These visitors promote us to the wider world and when they return to their hometown or country they can spread the word about travelling here. There is always going to be a slight disconnect between investing in tourism or event infrastructure and the existing demand for it. The legacy of this investment and these events cannot be understated as it creates a reputation local people can be proud of and facilities which benefit future communities.