KEY POINTS:
Auckland's councils are joining forces to seek a greater share of benefits from hosting 2011 Rugby World Cup games.
"The visitor to Auckland does not see any boundaries between councils," said Tourism Auckland chief executive Graeme Osborne.
"That's why a whole-of-region approach is appropriate, with councils investing and contributing to the most significant event to be hosted for decades and on the basis of economic return to the region rather than individual councils."
Tourism Auckland, AucklandPlus (the business arm of the Auckland Regional Council) and a local authorities' regional steering group are dealing with the tournament organising company, RNZ 2011.
Eden Park was allocated the final and both semifinals but the group is preparing a bid to hold up to 19 matches and host team training bases.
Tournament organisers want to know by next month what activities and level of investment each local authority will commit to, albeit only in principle.
Lance Vervoort, the ARC's man on the steering group, said that over the next few weeks councils would decide on their level of involvement.
"But we have made it clear to RNZ 2011 that the level of the region's bid is subject to the review by each council of their long-term council community plans," he said.
"Everyone is positive and we are looking at putting up a bid which leverages off the tournament and gets maximum benefit for a prudent investment."
On Thursday night, Auckland City Council added weight to the regional bid by adopting a $35 million package of operational support for cup projects and services.
This level of support will have to be approved as part of the council's 2009-2010 long-term plan review and will have an impact on council budgets in future years.
The support package includes staging a public event during the tournament, in the CBD or on the waterfront, to attract spectators and worldwide media attention. Several key projects will be paid for on a regional basis.
Also on Thursday, Rodney District Council agreed in principle to a $1.2 million share of regional cup activities over four years, while Manukau City Council approved in principle a contribution of $500,000 to providing training facilities and team hosting. An additional $425,000 would go towards providing events and live sites - where people gather to watch a big screen.
Manukau councillors were advised that $2 million might be required as a contribution towards $8 million of regional initiatives.
Councils are keen to have the playoff matches for third and fourth teams, pool games and training and team bases.
Manukau's TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre is a possible venue for a live site, and its Lloyd Elsmore Park and Mountford Park are possible team training venues.
Papakura says its Bruce Pullman Park has high-quality rugby fields and Massey Park could be upgraded for training teams.
Waitakere City is interested in having a team based at Trusts Stadium in Henderson, which hosted the world netball tournament.
North Harbour Stadium on the North Shore and the Auckland Regional Council's Mt Smart Stadium are being put forward as match and training venues.
Mr Vervoort said the ARC was looking at promoting its regional parks to tournament visitors in rental cars and motor homes.
Most of the councils were looking at their events calendars to see whether the timing could be shifted to coincide with the rugby fans' visits.
AucklandPlus is making businesses aware of opportunities to increase trade during the cup.
Tourism Auckland has been working for two years on preparing the region for an influx of about 90,000 visitors for the event.
"The benefit will be spread across the community.
"Tourism businesses attract only a minority of visitor spending. Most of it goes to transport, restaurants, shops, petrol stations."
Mr Osborne said Auckland would also benefit from the global media profile generated by the event.
Councils have been told Auckland will be the gateway for 65,000 tourists, 30,000 domestic visitors and 2000 members of the media, and visitors are expected to spend $260 million in Auckland.
