Events provide nearly $480m to Auckland's economy

Events boost economy: In 2008 events have contributed $440 million to Auckland's GDP.

From City Scene, published on 25 October, 2009.

Events contributed at least $479 million to Auckland region's economy last year, according to recently released research.

This equates to a $440 million contribution to Auckland's GDP in 2008 and the equivalent of more than 7200 full time jobs.

The report, commissioned by Auckland City Council, provides a better understanding of how events overall contribute to the economic wellbeing of the Auckland region.

With more than 1600 events last year, total attendance was estimated at 5.8 million - with 486,000 of those specially coming to Auckland for an event.

"The research has really demonstrated the importance of the events industry, which was previously not well documented," says Councillor Greg Moyle, chairperson of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee.

"Over recent years Auckland City Council has made a conscious decision to take a lead role in attracting events to Auckland, with recent successful bids to host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, the FIBA U19s Men's World Basketball Championship and the FIA World Rally Championship.

"This research reinforces the importance of local government investing in event attraction."

Mayor of Auckland city, Hon. John Banks, was pleased with the results of the report saying, "Not only do events deliver a good economic return, they are critical to Auckland becoming a truly vibrant and diverse city where people wish to live, work and do business in."

Auckland City Council supports and sponsors a wide variety of events including: Music in Parks, Movies in Parks, Diwali Festival of Lights and Auckland Lantern Festival.

Visit the Events in Auckland section to check upcoming events.

How the $479 million was spent:

$138m by event organisers on local goods and services
$80m of discretionary consumption at events in addition to mandatory expenses like tickets
$75m of pre and post-event consumption by Auckland residents
$150m of consumption by people visiting Auckland specifically to attend an event (excluding mandatory event expenses like tickets)
$23m by sponsors on event leveraging
$13m by local agencies that support the planning and delivery of events.