Superb line-up takes City of Sails by storm

Auckland will host a variety of big events and names over the summer. Photo / Martin Sykes

Auckland’s efforts to secure the biggest and best summer attractions have paid off, with rock stars, sports teams, yachties and tourists all clamouring to be part of the action — and fill the city’s coffers.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors will flood into Auckland, pumping tens of millions into the economy, as the City of Sails lines up a giant summer of fun.

Musicians, international sports stars, yachties and tourists will descend on the region as Auckland boasts its biggest summer of events since 2011-12, when the Rugby World Cup was in town.

Many of the events are regulars on the calendar but this summer has been boosted because some high-profile, one-off events have coincided. On the weekend of January 24, the Seafood Festival, St Jerome's Laneway Festival and Waiheke's Headland Sculpture on the Gulf coincide with the city's 175th anniversary celebrations.

A week earlier, the Heineken Open plays out at the ASB Tennis Arena and the weekend after Anniversary Day the NRL Nines is in town.

On the middle weekend of March, the Volvo Ocean Race, the Eagles, Auckland Arts Festival and Auckland Cup Week coincide.

And on top of all that, there's the Cricket World Cup from February 14 for six weeks and later in the year the Fifa Under-20 Football World Cup.

Brett O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (Ateed), said the range of events was diverse.

"It's a non-stop summer of fantastic events. The volume of events is the largest we've had in three years."

Events Ateed was directly involved in would plough $47 million into the economy and create 150,000 visitor nights, he said.

The Nines is projected to generate 65,000 visitor nights and the cricket almost 96,000.

Meanwhile, Cruise New Zealand general manager Raewyn Tan said the 113 cruise ships that will dock in Auckland over the coming season will also bring the city a boost, bringing 190,800 passengers and 66,400 crew.

That is predicted to add about $160m to the economy and support almost 2700 jobs.

"Auckland is always a popular destination, it's a marquee port of call. You can't visit New Zealand without Auckland."

Last summer, cruise ships contributed $365m to the New Zealand economy and Auckland's share was 41 per cent of that.

O'Reilly said the event-packed summer was proof his organisation's work to build the city as a destination for international and domestic travellers was paying off. And it was a sign of growing confidence in Auckland as a host destination.

Concert promoters who, in the past, might have been unsure about an Auckland stop were now definite about visiting the city.

Behind the scenes, a lot of work went into making sure international acts had a good time, O'Reilly said.

Ateed would suggest activities and experiences to promoters to pitch to their clients.

Recent visitors like singers Justin Timberlake and Miley Cyrus had visited Hauraki Gulf islands, Waiheke wineries and West Coast beaches, where Timberlake and wife Jessica Biel were snapped enjoying the view.

"That photo of Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake sitting on that bench is a result of the work we do to ensure they enjoy their experience," O'Reilly said.

Organisers could be confident about the crowds and venues. "In New Zealand, whether you're Venus Williams or Justin Timberlake, you can come here in a low-key, low-profile way and not be hounded. New Zealanders are respectful of privacy and give people a bit of distance."

Summer has traditionally been the time for rugby fans to head to Wellington for the Sevens but the tournament now faces stiff competition from the Nines.

Organiser Dean Lonergan said ticket sales were well ahead of last year. This year was the first time the Sevens had not sold out but Lonergan said he wasn't trying to take Wellington's crowds.

"I hope they're successful. It's a fantastic event that's been running for 13 or 14 years.

"It's going to be a massive summer and you've got to take your hat off to Ateed. They're the drivers of that."

Last year's players had been made to feel very welcome, he said. "Ateed made it easy to get through, and set up welcome signs. Where they were engaging with the public they were blown away by the enthusiasm. They enjoyed it last year and are looking forward to coming back."

Holding the Nines in summer showcased the city at its best for players who would usually visit in the winter rugby season.

"They get to play Eden Park, stay in nice hotels and see the harbour at its best."

Paul Columbus, of the Auckland Hotel Council, said the first quarter of next year was looking busy.

"It's looking like a positive summer for our sector and for Auckland overall."

Last summer was strong and the indications were that next year would surpass that level, he said.

"There's been a lot of work put in to drawing awareness to Auckland and there's potentially good dividends coming about from the fact we're able to draw events like the cricket, Nines and the concerts season. There's a strong mix of events."

There had been growth in New Zealanders visiting Auckland, Columbus said. Hoteliers had seen 4.2 per cent year-on-year occupancy growth this year and an 8 per cent growth in New Zealand visitors to the city.

Heart of the City spokeswoman Jane Stewart said new shared spaces in the city, where pedestrians have more use of the roads, made it easier to host outdoor events.

"A good event is something that encourages people to move around the city and not be turned off by a fear of not being able to get in or get a park, things that allow people access and allow them to move from place to place."