New garden show, international sports fixtures for Auckland

Auckland will play host to a new women's golf tournament in September with world number four Lydia Ko the major drawcard. Photo / Supplied

A new national garden show and two international sports events - one a women's golf tournament - are being sponsored by Auckland Council in the coming year.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development has released its list of 26 upcoming lifestyle and sporting events it will be funding from a contestable $900,000 pool over the next 12 months.

It includes an IPGA-sanctioned women's golf tournament, an equestrian fair and a flower and garden show which will be added to the city's events calendar.

The council will also have a financial stake in two upcoming major sports events - the Rugby League World Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race - continuing a stellar year hosting international fixtures.

ATEED said the growing portfolio of sponsored events included a range of arts, culture, sport and community events that were seen to generate new money for Auckland as well as provide Aucklanders with the chance to enjoy world-class events.

The inaugural MCKAYSON New Zealand Women's Open would take place on the last weekend of September at Ardmore's Windross Farm Golf Course with the chance for Auckland to see world number four Lydia Ko play.

Following the loss of the Ellerslie Flower Show the botanical show was being reprised in west Auckland with a New Zealand Flower and Garden Show taking place at the end of November at The Trusts Arena.

The council is also backing a new international equestrian sports fair which would take place in late November at the ASB showgrounds.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said there were some exciting events planned for the coming 12 months which would boost the city's economy and add to the city's vibrancy.

"Major events make our city an exciting and interesting place to live. They bring in hundreds of thousands of visitor nights every year and boost the Auckland economy. There are some exciting events planned for Auckland including the Rugby League World Cup and the NZ Flower & Garden Show."

ATEED head of major events Charmaine Ngarimu said major events were recognised the world over as a way to deliver significant social and economic outcomes for cities.

"Auckland's major events celebrate our local culture and creativity, entertain our people, attract new visitors, provide unique experiences and generate economic activity."

"The World Masters Games 2017 and DHL New Zealand Lions Series are the most recent examples of how events can be used to promote what is special and unique about Auckland as an attractive place for talented people to live, visit, work, study and invest."

Since 2011 ATEED-sponsored major events have contributed $247m to the local economy.