What a weekend.
The three Rs were big on Northland's entertainment front - racing, rugby and rallying. Not to mention the Waipu celebrations, the fantasy cheerleading, the roller derby, and of course, the Zonta Book sale.
It was a smorgasbord of entertainment that helps pump much needed dollars into Northland's economy.
On Saturday
night at the rugby, the grandstand was reasonably healthy but the terraces looked a little empty for Northland's first ITM Cup match of 2011.
Given it was a cold, blustery night, the odd fairweather fan could be forgiven for not fronting up. With a first-up win under its their belt, the Taniwha fans will be out in greater numbers next time, I'm sure.
Given the shiny new suit the Taniwha had on, the kids will be clamouring to catch a first-time glimpse of the new, more mobile Taniwha.
The last Taniwha was a prop - this one could just about pass for a Robbie Fruean-sized outside back.
Weekends like the one just gone provide major marketing opportunities for the region. What a great way to attract Aucklanders north for weekend.
As the region's tourism infrastructure grows, so does the case for a regional events co-ordinator to ensure we're maximising these opportunities.
Far North mayor Wayne Brown was in town for the Northland v Tasman match. I can see a bona fide ITM Cup match being played in Kerikeri in the not-too-distant future. It's a town that knows how to handle an event, in fact it demonstrates the ability each year with the Kerikeri half marathon. Having staged successful pre-season matches it seems right that Kerikeri should get an opportunity. There are logistics and financials to be considered and we don't necessarily want to rob Whangarei's Peter to pay the mid-north Paul.
But given the apathy of Whangarei's first-up ITM Cup crowd, perhaps Kerikeri would be the logical place to start Northland's ITM Cup season?
