Winter Games NZ organisers estimate the economic impact of this year's inaugural event on the Otago and Queenstown Lakes regions range from a cautious $42 million to a "top end" $103 million.
Games chief executive Arthur Klap has been collating reports and feedback for the August-September event.
After analysis, a picture of the economic impact of the games is starting to take shape, but he said the figures were only an estimate.
The total figure ranges from the lower estimate of $42 million up to the top end of $103 million.
"Forty million dollars would be great and satisfying, and if the economic effect of the games was $60 million or more, we would be over the moon," Mr Klap said.
Games chairman Sir Eion Edgar shared Mr Klap's enthusiasm.
"Even the most cautious interpretation of the figures is extremely positive," Sir Eion said. Television coverage of the games reached an audience of 765 million potential viewers through international networks.
London-based media companyWorld Television estimated the value of the coverage to be between $20 million and $76 million. Mr Klap said he believed $30 million to $40 million as realistic.
In addition, World Television estimated the value of internet coverage and image downloads to be between $5 million and $10 million.
Out of the $3.3 million budget for the Winter Games, Mr Klap said $2 million was spent directly in the regions where the games were held.
Winter Games management also carried out an economic impact survey via a web questionnaire to establish how much money was spent by participants, support crews, officials, media and others directly involved in the games.
The results of this survey showed total spending of $15 million.
The amount did not include money spent by visitors to the region, who were not specifically there for the games.
The financial estimates will be part of reports the chief executive and board are working on, which Sir Eion said will be the basis for talks with government representatives, local councils, Tourism New Zealand and sponsors about the future of the games.
The board has yet to decide if the games will be held every two years as intended, or every four years as a lead-up to the Winter Olympic Games.
But the chairman is clear about his preference.
"I would like to see the Winter Games held every two years. That way we can keep building on the awareness and exposure we have already created.
"Tourism minister John Key has been very positive about supporting the event, but we can not count the chickens before they are hatched."
Destination Queenstown marketing general manager Graham Budd was delighted with the financial impact.
"The marketing effect of the games will be felt for a long time. But this effect could very well be diluted if the momentum is not maintained. So I am keen on having the games every two years."
