Ngai Tahu festival gives city boost

Dougal McGowan
Dougal McGowan

The Ngai Tahu Hui-a-Iwi cultural festival held at the weekend is being hailed as a huge success for the city's economy, while also showing off Dunedin as a ''city of culture''.

Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Dougal McGowan said when Dunedin had an extra 2500 people in town, it had to be good for local businesses and that in turn generated employment.

''It does say that 'yes, we are a city of culture','' he said.

''It gets people talking about our city. They are seeing all the good things that happen. It's a flow-on effect.''

The festival was held in centres across the city, with an estimated 5000 people enjoying the events.

Although he was unable to put a monetary figure on the event, Mr McGowan said it had been a big week for the city.

The festival followed a successful Fleetwood Mac concert last Wednesday and the largest cruise ship to visit Dunedin, Explorer of the Seas, docking yesterday.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said the event was a ''raging success'' and ''hugely important'' for the city.

''I think the cultural aspects were every bit as important as the [economic] ... benefits.

''It was an opportunity for the local runanga to put on display their part in the tribal framework.''

Event co-ordinator Kitty Brown said Ngai Tahu would ''absolutely'' think about hosting a similar event in Dunedin again.

rhys.chamberlain@odt.co.nz

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