Dunedin will host the only South Island rugby test next year, on July 18, against Scotland.
The Scots’ first match at the stadium will also be their first against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil in 20 years.
Dunedin Venues says the last All Blacks test in the city, against France in 2018, gave the city’s economy a $10million boost.
Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dougal McGowan described the announcement as ‘‘fantastic’’, and an endorsement of the city’s ability to host big events.
‘‘It’s really big for the hospitality and accommodation sectors, in what is traditionally their lowest point of the year.
‘‘It gives them a nice wee bump.’’
For some businesses, an event like that could be the difference between keeping the doors open and shutting, he said.
Dunedin Venues chief executive Terry Davies said they were ‘‘absolutely thrilled the All Blacks would be taking on Scotland under the roof.
‘‘It will be terrific to welcome Scotland for their first appearance at the stadium and we would anticipate a full house, as southern fans last had international rugby in June 2018.
‘‘With it being the only South Island international, we would encourage fans to get in quick when tickets go on sale next year.’’
Enterprise Dunedin director John Christie said the city was ‘‘delighted’’ to be hosting the match, ‘‘especially given our proud Scottish heritage and the ongoing cultural and business links with our sister city, Edinburgh’’.
‘‘This match will provide an opportunity to showcase our renowned southern hospitality to visiting rugby fans and share our beautiful ‘Edinburgh of the South’ with them.”
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Yes but what about the millions that were poured into the stadium project, fleeced from Aurora, that are now being passed on to the networks customers to pay. You've got to factor that into any cost/benefit analysis regarding the stadium's benefits to the city and it's citizens. Not to mention the millions also now being raised from Central Otago customers, they didn't even get a vote on the matter.
Some good news. Now all we need for the stadium to pay for itself is an average of 2 tests/major events per month, every month in perpetuity....Then it is a success- otherwise we should call it for what it is- a big blackhole- just do the math- approx $13-15m in interest payments ANNUALLY.
"Dunedin Venues says the last All Blacks test in the city, against France in 2018, gave the city’s economy a $10million boost"
And how much of that money was actually spent on reducing the 'stadium' debt?.
Worth millions to who? Business owners, rather than the average rate payer. Not the council either whose income is via rates. Do wages go up? No. Do rates decrease? No. Do rate payer expenses decrease? No.
The majority who paid for the stadium, and still are, don't benefit at all. Call it corporate welfare or trickle-up, but don't pretend it's good for us all, because it is a select few who benefit at the expense of many.
I'm very curious to know how the value to the economy is calculated ?? And what assumptions are used?? Perhaps ODT can arrange for the calculations to be tested, because I for one do not trust the DCC not to be spinning the data to try to make us forget that our power prices are going up because Aurora gave all their money to the DCC to help fund the stadium.
Quite correct. The SFO should be investigating what happened at Aurora.
Judging from all these comments, it really is time we called the Emporer out on his new clothes...
Socialise the cost, privatise the wealth. Somehow, someone, somewhere thinks this kind of article is good marketing. All it does is make rate-payers, and now power customers too, angry. Perhaps we need a stadium tax on all these businesses reaping the benefits....