1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,587 --> 00:00:15,547 Speaker 2: It's the water though, what about the economic impact on 4 00:00:15,707 --> 00:00:19,467 Speaker 2: Auckland and the surrounding region and is this going to 5 00:00:19,467 --> 00:00:22,747 Speaker 2: be an annual event for many years to come? Tartucky 6 00:00:22,747 --> 00:00:26,427 Speaker 2: Auckland Unlimited Chief executive Nick Hill has stopped by for 7 00:00:26,467 --> 00:00:29,627 Speaker 2: a chat. Good to see you must enjoy weekends like 8 00:00:29,707 --> 00:00:30,827 Speaker 2: this in the on nine region. 9 00:00:31,547 --> 00:00:35,267 Speaker 3: Look, it's been fantastic and welcome up here to Auckland 10 00:00:35,347 --> 00:00:39,147 Speaker 3: and Christine Harbor and the racing and the people here. 11 00:00:39,147 --> 00:00:39,987 Speaker 3: It's been fantastic. 12 00:00:40,347 --> 00:00:43,587 Speaker 2: When sal GP comes to Auckland. What does it deliver 13 00:00:43,787 --> 00:00:47,467 Speaker 2: economically and in other senses for the city. 14 00:00:48,467 --> 00:00:50,707 Speaker 3: Well, we expect in straight economic terms for it to 15 00:00:50,747 --> 00:00:54,547 Speaker 3: add about five million GDP, which is what happened last year. 16 00:00:54,547 --> 00:00:57,867 Speaker 3: So their numbers in the forecasting was really good last year. 17 00:00:57,907 --> 00:01:02,187 Speaker 3: There's twenty five thousand spectators. We're hoping to do better 18 00:01:02,347 --> 00:01:04,827 Speaker 3: this year. But it actually there's a lot more to 19 00:01:04,867 --> 00:01:06,667 Speaker 3: it than that. I think it's a boost that it 20 00:01:06,707 --> 00:01:08,627 Speaker 3: gives to a lot of the businesses in the city 21 00:01:08,787 --> 00:01:11,187 Speaker 3: and the confidence for people to come out and all 22 00:01:11,187 --> 00:01:13,027 Speaker 3: the other things that happen around it. So if you've 23 00:01:13,027 --> 00:01:17,067 Speaker 3: wandered down through the along the waterfront and through britam 24 00:01:17,147 --> 00:01:20,547 Speaker 3: Art and Queen Street, it's absolutely packed and as it 25 00:01:20,547 --> 00:01:24,467 Speaker 3: should be. But also I think the images that are 26 00:01:24,827 --> 00:01:27,987 Speaker 3: broadcast around the world are absolutely stunning and sld GP 27 00:01:28,107 --> 00:01:30,427 Speaker 3: have used them a lot, and it just helps to 28 00:01:30,467 --> 00:01:34,387 Speaker 3: tell the story of Tamache of Auckland of New Zealand. 29 00:01:35,547 --> 00:01:37,307 Speaker 3: So it's an event that already belongs here. 30 00:01:37,627 --> 00:01:40,187 Speaker 2: Yeah, so all of that sounds very positive. So are 31 00:01:40,187 --> 00:01:43,867 Speaker 2: you committed to making it an annual event on Auckland's calendar? Yeah? 32 00:01:44,147 --> 00:01:44,467 Speaker 1: We are. 33 00:01:46,027 --> 00:01:47,547 Speaker 2: What do you have to do to make that happen 34 00:01:47,547 --> 00:01:51,507 Speaker 2: because at the moment, Sir Russell Cootch yesterday and today 35 00:01:51,587 --> 00:01:54,107 Speaker 2: has said I think they're just trying to finalize a 36 00:01:54,227 --> 00:01:57,387 Speaker 2: date for next year. Is there the possibility of coming 37 00:01:57,507 --> 00:01:59,587 Speaker 2: up with a long term commitment. 38 00:01:59,707 --> 00:02:02,987 Speaker 3: Yeah, we've been talking since the last one through till 39 00:02:03,067 --> 00:02:06,867 Speaker 3: twenty nine. I think you mentioned that we've agreed those things. 40 00:02:06,947 --> 00:02:10,787 Speaker 3: We are, but we need to make sure that the 41 00:02:10,867 --> 00:02:13,707 Speaker 3: dates work. They work for them and they work for Auckland. 42 00:02:13,947 --> 00:02:17,547 Speaker 3: We've got the Ocean Race we committed to over fifteen 43 00:02:17,547 --> 00:02:22,907 Speaker 3: months ago, so that's a particular window where you know, 44 00:02:22,947 --> 00:02:27,347 Speaker 3: you need to be able to honor those agreements and 45 00:02:27,387 --> 00:02:29,467 Speaker 3: we need to find a way for them to come 46 00:02:29,467 --> 00:02:30,027 Speaker 3: to Auckland. 47 00:02:30,227 --> 00:02:32,507 Speaker 2: All right, so that's next year, so we can say, well, 48 00:02:32,547 --> 00:02:34,907 Speaker 2: it's pretty close to being agreed. That'll be twenty seven, 49 00:02:35,307 --> 00:02:37,107 Speaker 2: and then what about twenty eight, twenty nine, I mean 50 00:02:37,187 --> 00:02:40,147 Speaker 2: thirty moving forward? What's the latest situation around that? 51 00:02:40,147 --> 00:02:42,147 Speaker 3: The same thing where we're looking at an agreement that 52 00:02:43,547 --> 00:02:48,107 Speaker 3: lasts through till twenty nine nine thirty sorry thirty, another 53 00:02:48,147 --> 00:02:52,547 Speaker 3: three years. We also need the government to agree they 54 00:02:52,987 --> 00:02:57,747 Speaker 3: share the funding obligation with us, so they're part of that. 55 00:02:58,627 --> 00:03:02,187 Speaker 3: But from an Aucland point of view, we're pretty much there. 56 00:03:02,267 --> 00:03:03,987 Speaker 2: So you need central government to make it happen. 57 00:03:04,307 --> 00:03:07,387 Speaker 3: We didn't say well yes they will. SOLGP needs aid 58 00:03:07,467 --> 00:03:09,827 Speaker 3: central government to contribute their share of the funding. 59 00:03:10,067 --> 00:03:13,787 Speaker 2: How competitive do you perceive the global race to host 60 00:03:13,827 --> 00:03:14,827 Speaker 2: events like this to be? 61 00:03:16,147 --> 00:03:18,307 Speaker 3: Oh, it's very competitive. I think we're seeing all around 62 00:03:18,347 --> 00:03:22,387 Speaker 3: the world people want experiences. It's kind of the new 63 00:03:22,427 --> 00:03:24,667 Speaker 3: status thing is actually what experiences do you have, what 64 00:03:24,787 --> 00:03:28,627 Speaker 3: you've been to, what instant pictures, what merchandise are you buying? 65 00:03:29,587 --> 00:03:36,787 Speaker 3: And that experience is increasingly important and these events like 66 00:03:36,827 --> 00:03:41,107 Speaker 3: SOLGP modeled in lots of ways on f one the 67 00:03:41,427 --> 00:03:50,387 Speaker 3: commercial innovation technology broadcast models are really sophisticated and really 68 00:03:50,427 --> 00:03:52,547 Speaker 3: evolving all the time. And when these guys come to town, 69 00:03:52,827 --> 00:03:57,947 Speaker 3: they lift the whole standard around event delivery, event experience 70 00:03:57,987 --> 00:04:01,027 Speaker 3: to another level. There are another level these you know, 71 00:04:01,067 --> 00:04:04,147 Speaker 3: I think they've had is it around twenty odd events 72 00:04:04,147 --> 00:04:07,067 Speaker 3: a year. This is the fifth year. That's a huge 73 00:04:07,067 --> 00:04:11,787 Speaker 3: amount of experience and that's that's reflected into the into 74 00:04:11,787 --> 00:04:15,947 Speaker 3: the event. So yeah, we need to compete with other cities, 75 00:04:16,027 --> 00:04:20,427 Speaker 3: other countries. The Australian is extremely good. They've led the 76 00:04:20,427 --> 00:04:23,587 Speaker 3: way in many ways, but all around the world that 77 00:04:23,587 --> 00:04:28,067 Speaker 3: that relationship between place and event is hugely important in 78 00:04:28,147 --> 00:04:31,507 Speaker 3: helping to create a place that people want to come to, 79 00:04:31,787 --> 00:04:34,507 Speaker 3: whether you live here or whether you're a visitor, or 80 00:04:34,547 --> 00:04:35,627 Speaker 3: whether you want to do business here. 81 00:04:36,147 --> 00:04:37,587 Speaker 2: Is I saw the mayor here yesterday. 82 00:04:37,587 --> 00:04:40,547 Speaker 3: I see a fan is he's a fan of events, 83 00:04:40,547 --> 00:04:43,307 Speaker 3: he's a fan of sale GP. He's he's a fan 84 00:04:43,387 --> 00:04:44,347 Speaker 3: of the work we do. 85 00:04:45,387 --> 00:04:47,947 Speaker 2: I know, rate payer money you know can be can 86 00:04:47,987 --> 00:04:50,547 Speaker 2: be spent in any number of ways. How do you 87 00:04:50,587 --> 00:04:53,227 Speaker 2: make sure that events are in that conversation and near 88 00:04:53,267 --> 00:04:55,987 Speaker 2: the front of the queue. 89 00:04:56,307 --> 00:04:59,627 Speaker 3: We we do that all the time with the counselors 90 00:04:59,627 --> 00:05:01,907 Speaker 3: and the politicians. They are in a bind and that 91 00:05:01,947 --> 00:05:04,267 Speaker 3: they've got a limited budget and a whole lot of 92 00:05:04,307 --> 00:05:07,107 Speaker 3: things that a lot of people will go This is 93 00:05:07,147 --> 00:05:11,587 Speaker 3: basic like fixing roads and making sure the rubbish is collected. 94 00:05:12,227 --> 00:05:15,147 Speaker 3: So you're you're always arguing about, well if we had 95 00:05:15,587 --> 00:05:20,667 Speaker 3: more funding in the council budget, and you're fighting over 96 00:05:20,667 --> 00:05:24,707 Speaker 3: whether or not you're fixing up a library somewhere versus 97 00:05:25,947 --> 00:05:30,827 Speaker 3: putting on something like a major event. There's always an 98 00:05:30,907 --> 00:05:32,747 Speaker 3: argument in a trade off, and you'll find his whole 99 00:05:32,787 --> 00:05:35,347 Speaker 3: spectrum of politicians in terms of their views on that. 100 00:05:36,507 --> 00:05:38,547 Speaker 3: But I think the answer is we need a sustainable 101 00:05:38,547 --> 00:05:42,867 Speaker 3: funding model, one that you know, you have heard Wayne 102 00:05:42,867 --> 00:05:47,467 Speaker 3: Brown on a visit to night Levy. Yep, he's absolutely right, 103 00:05:47,547 --> 00:05:51,427 Speaker 3: completely agree. You need an economic model that is sustainable, 104 00:05:51,907 --> 00:05:55,867 Speaker 3: that links the activity with where the funding is sourced. 105 00:05:56,747 --> 00:06:00,387 Speaker 3: It needs to be quite a transparent phone that is hypothecated, 106 00:06:00,427 --> 00:06:04,827 Speaker 3: which means tied to the useful events and marketing the city. 107 00:06:04,947 --> 00:06:09,307 Speaker 3: So I think the answer is that, and you know, 108 00:06:09,387 --> 00:06:15,347 Speaker 3: I think those those political discussions continue to play out, 109 00:06:15,547 --> 00:06:17,627 Speaker 3: and you know, at some point hopefully we will get 110 00:06:17,627 --> 00:06:18,227 Speaker 3: that result. 111 00:06:18,307 --> 00:06:20,827 Speaker 2: Yeah, the bad tax seems obvious, doesn't it. What would 112 00:06:20,827 --> 00:06:22,507 Speaker 2: have been a couple of three dollars on the on 113 00:06:22,547 --> 00:06:25,587 Speaker 2: the top of a night's day. Hospitality industry can wear that, 114 00:06:25,627 --> 00:06:26,147 Speaker 2: can they. 115 00:06:26,387 --> 00:06:28,307 Speaker 3: Two and a half We've argued two and a half percent. 116 00:06:28,467 --> 00:06:32,027 Speaker 3: They would give us close to thirty million in Auckland. 117 00:06:32,747 --> 00:06:35,827 Speaker 3: That that I don't believe from the work that we've 118 00:06:35,867 --> 00:06:39,307 Speaker 3: done that that would change the demand. It is an impost, 119 00:06:41,147 --> 00:06:44,067 Speaker 3: but we we think the market would sorb that. And look, 120 00:06:44,107 --> 00:06:47,507 Speaker 3: by and large, we have strong support from the accommodation sector, 121 00:06:47,587 --> 00:06:51,587 Speaker 3: not us, but strong strong support for a model like 122 00:06:51,627 --> 00:06:56,587 Speaker 3: this in some form as long as it's fair. And similarly, 123 00:06:56,627 --> 00:07:00,387 Speaker 3: I think well hospitality would would hugely benefit. 124 00:07:00,347 --> 00:07:02,507 Speaker 2: Of course, of course, Well let's hope that we get 125 00:07:02,507 --> 00:07:04,867 Speaker 2: some some positive news moving forward. By the sounds of it, 126 00:07:04,947 --> 00:07:07,347 Speaker 2: the next years one is done. We're just waiting to 127 00:07:07,587 --> 00:07:09,667 Speaker 2: get dates and stuff like that. See there's an announcement 128 00:07:09,707 --> 00:07:11,907 Speaker 2: of eating part tomorrow morning as well. Anything you can 129 00:07:11,947 --> 00:07:15,787 Speaker 2: tell us in advance, No, I'm aware there is. That's 130 00:07:15,827 --> 00:07:21,667 Speaker 2: all fair enough, fair enough just to finish Nick, obviously 131 00:07:21,707 --> 00:07:24,787 Speaker 2: you deal in events. What is your vision as far 132 00:07:24,827 --> 00:07:27,667 Speaker 2: as this part of the country is concerned, and it's 133 00:07:29,387 --> 00:07:31,787 Speaker 2: it's place in hosting big, big events. 134 00:07:32,067 --> 00:07:35,947 Speaker 3: Look, I think we're at a at the cusp of 135 00:07:36,747 --> 00:07:42,587 Speaker 3: really going up another gear. Events and activations around the 136 00:07:42,827 --> 00:07:45,787 Speaker 3: particularly around the city center and the harbor, bring people out. 137 00:07:46,267 --> 00:07:49,787 Speaker 3: So our view is we want Auckland to be understood 138 00:07:49,787 --> 00:07:51,707 Speaker 3: to be always on and there's an enormous amount of 139 00:07:51,747 --> 00:07:54,107 Speaker 3: stuff happening all the time, so our job is ready 140 00:07:54,107 --> 00:07:57,107 Speaker 3: to get that message out. Bring richness and events, a 141 00:07:57,187 --> 00:08:01,427 Speaker 3: calendar of events that's driven by seasons, tied to the 142 00:08:01,467 --> 00:08:05,027 Speaker 3: reputation of the place. We want Aucklandness to be part 143 00:08:05,067 --> 00:08:07,947 Speaker 3: of that, to be proud of it. But we've got 144 00:08:07,987 --> 00:08:11,427 Speaker 3: all the ingredients here to be a truly world class 145 00:08:12,587 --> 00:08:17,347 Speaker 3: city for events and we're well on the way. 146 00:08:18,067 --> 00:08:19,987 Speaker 2: Great to see you next. Thanks to stop again. Thanks 147 00:08:20,027 --> 00:08:23,227 Speaker 2: Jason Now, Thank you Nick, Nick Hill Tatuki Auckland Unlimited 148 00:08:23,307 --> 00:08:25,987 Speaker 2: Chief Executive joining us here on News Talk s ed B. 149 00:08:26,587 --> 00:08:29,787 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 150 00:08:29,867 --> 00:08:33,147 Speaker 1: to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow 151 00:08:33,187 --> 00:08:34,827 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.