Officials, media drop off guest list

The Apec guest list is getting smaller.

The total number of delegates, security people and media members coming to Auckland for the leaders' summit has dropped from earlier estimates of 7000 to between 5300 and 5600.

Leaders, their officials and their entourages are expected to number between 3500 and 3800, rather than the 4000 predicted at the start of the year. But it is the media pack that has shrunk most.

Original estimates had between 2000 and 3000 journalists and crew, including local news outlets, in Auckland for the annual talkfest in a fortnight. But now between 1500 and 1800 media representatives are expected to register to cover Apec.

The Apec communications director, Peter Parussini, said last night that the reduced numbers were welcome, as New Zealand had repeatedly asked the other 20 nations to keep their delegations as tight as possible.

Although the number of media personnel was down, partly because of big overseas news agencies cutting back after spending up on covering the Kosovo crisis, there would still be 40 organisations here.

Smaller numbers meant the taskforce had been able to release a number of suburban motels that had been tentatively booked, improving transport arrangements.

A further 250 to 300 people are expected to attend the business leaders' CEO Summit during the Apec weekend of September 11 to 13.

About 1400 police officers from outside Auckland will also be based in the city.

Mr Parussini said the total visitor numbers for all Apec meetings held in New Zealand this year were on target at between 10,000 and 11,000 people, as events in Wellington, Christchurch and Rotorua had been well attended.