KEY POINTS:
Sports Minister Trevor Mallard is encouraging businesses to think about what they can gain from New Zealand hosting the Rugby World Cup, which is expected to generate more than $500 million in tourism and other direct economic benefits.
Mr Mallard said that figure did not include tourism stimulated by the event and the later economic activity developed from contacts made during the Cup.
He said the viewing audience was expected to be more than 3.4 billion and about 70,000 additional visitors were expected for the event.
Previous sporting events had generated spin-offs in tourism, clothing, sporting goods, screen production and information technology, specialised manufacturing and foreign investment.
The Government planned to establish a liaison office dedicated to the Rugby World Cup which would be responsible for co-ordinating and developing plans for the tournament and beyond that, for assisting local businesses and industries.
But in a speech to the Waikato Chamber of Commerce, Mr Mallard said businesses had to grab the economic spin-offs from hosting sporting events.
"You must start thinking now about how you can use the tournament to go after international connections and build your global networks, and promote and showcase your trade and technological expertise, to international visitors."
Mr Mallard said the Rugby World Cup match allocation process would be announced this year and it was expected that games would be held at all the main rugby centres over the six weeks of the Cup in September and October 2011.
The cup was a major coup but it was important to not lose sight of other top international sporting events that could also bring significant economic benefits.
Waikato would benefit from the Rugby World Cup, the World Rowing Championships 2010, the V8 Supercar street race next year. It had already hosted the New Zealand round of the World Rally Championship.
The rowing championships at Lake Karapiro in September 2010 were expected to be generate about $100 million.
It was expected 1500 athletes and officials from 60 countries would stay in Hamilton for at least 20 days. About 5000 visiting supporters were expected to stay in New Zealand for at least 21 days.
The Australian V8 Supercars street race, to be held from 2008 to 2014, was expected to attract 156,000 spectators in its first year, growing to 240,000 by 2014.
The V8s were expected to generate $20.3 million in its first year.
Big Dividends
* World Rowing Championships 2010: $100 million to New Zealand's GDP. Involves about 1500 athletes and officials from 60 countries.
* V8 Supercar races 2008 to 2014: Expected to attract 156,000 spectators in its first year, growing to 240,000 by 2014. Could generate $20.3 million in the first year.
- NZPA
