Rod Stewart in 2012 performing as the Mission Estate's first artist to play there twice. Photo / Duncan Brown
Rod Stewart in 2012 performing as the Mission Estate's first artist to play there twice. Photo / Duncan Brown
New Zealand's tough border restrictions mean Sir Rod Stewart has cancelled his Hawke's Bay show.
The show was part of Sir Rod's New Zealand and Australia The Hits! 2022 tour, which had already been postponed because of Covid 19.
Ongoing travel and quarantine restrictions have led to the tour being cancelled.
The last time Sir Rod Stewart performed in Hawke's Bay was at the Mission Estate in 2012.
The singer, who was set to perform in Hawke's Bay and Dunedin in April, said he was "absolutely gutted with disappointment and when I do eventually get there we'll have the party to end all parties. Guaranteed",
The British rock and pop singer was set to play at The Mission Estate in early April, after rescheduling his 2021 concert due to Covid-related issues.
"My dear friends, once again I feel we've all been cheated by this evil disease, so it is with great regret that I announce my shows for 2022 have had to be cancelled," Stewart said.
Sadly Sir Rod Stewart won't be jetting into Napier airport this year, as travel restrictions mean his New Zealand shows are cancelled. Photo / Duncan Brown
Stewart said his thoughts were with his fans' families ''at this difficult time as we come out of the joyous and hopefully safe holiday season''.
"I look forward to returning to New Zealand as soon as the health situation permits."
Organisers Live Nation Entertainment said the closure of New Zealand's international border to international travellers until after April 30 meant it was impossible to present the New Zealand performances as scheduled.
Ticket-holders for the Mission Estate performances are advised that automated refunds will be issued for Mission Concert Club Members to their purchasing credit card.
Ticket-holders who purchased through other agencies or travel companies are advised to contact their ''point of purchase''.
A statement said "Live Nation apologises to any ticketholders who are inconvenienced by the cancelled dates, and thanks fans for their support and understanding during these unprecedented times."
Hawke's Bay Tourism chief executive Hamish Saxton said hopefully plenty of people who purchased tickets to the concert would still visit Hawke's Bay as planned.
"When Sir Rod Stewart's concert was originally postponed, we saw a number of ticket holders travel to Hawke's Bay as originally intended, and we hope this will eventuate again.
"Hawke's Bay is a fantastic destination for domestic travellers offering incredible food, wine and experiences, and its appeal endures."
He said other big events in the coming months would likely see strong visitor numbers in Hawke's Bay to support local businesses, such as the Art Deco Festival in February.
"We are quietly confident that the incredible line-up of domestically generated events taking place in Hawke's Bay over the coming months will continue to bring visitors to the region, giving the region's tourism and hospitality industries a boost," he said.
"Hawke's Bay's visitor economy has been buoyed by a busy Christmas and New Year holiday period. Anecdotally, operators tell us they have had a healthy start to the summer, with high visitation and bookings, which is fantastic news."
