Media Release: 4 April, 2014

The Stones Set to Continue Auckland’s Economic Roll

Today’s announcement by The Rolling Stones that their Auckland concert will definitely take place later this year is welcome news for New Zealand fans, and will provide further economic gain for Auckland following a bumper series of concerts.

The summer line-up of Auckland-exclusive international music events generated more than 126,000 visitor nights and made a contribution to regional GDP of $14.6 million according to new research commissioned by Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA).

The research, conducted by The Fresh Information Company, was based on official ticketing data, large-sample online surveys of event attendees and financial information provided by event promoters.

More than 176,000 fans, over 79,000 from outside the Auckland region, have flocked to RFA-run stadiums in recent months to see world-class concerts and festivals. The Big Day Out music festival kicked off the year’s events in January, drawing 41,000 people to Western Springs Stadium. Global rapper Eminem staged his first ever New Zealand concert at Western Springs in February to a capacity crowd of 55,000, and Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band played to 80,000 fans over two nights at Mt Smart Stadium in March.

“Securing events of this calibre is very much in line with RFA’s vision for Auckland and we are constantly seeking opportunities to bring international concerts and shows to the city, says RFA Chief Executive Officer, Robert Domm.

Domm says that while the social and cultural contributions of the city’s arts and entertainment sectors are well understood, less well documented is the significant economic contribution and strategic role they play in positioning Auckland as a world-class destination.

He says this significant economic contribution is further illustrated by the recent success of the international Broadway blockbuster musical, Wicked.
“Thirty-five percent of tickets for Wicked were sold to people from outside Auckland. Independent economic modelling commissioned by ATEED shows that Wicked generated 36,770 visitor nights and made a contribution to regional GDP of $4.66 million over the ten-week season.”

With 55% of the audience for the rescheduled Rolling Stones concert at Mt Smart Stadium coming from outside Auckland, the event looks set to generate an estimated $3.5 million in economic benefits for the city later this year.
Domm says that the very high attendee satisfaction scores of 92% for the Eminem concert and 93% for Bruce Springsteen are also gratifying.
“We work very hard to ensure visitors to our venues have a great experience, and the recent significant improvements at Mt Smart and Western Springs Stadiums have made them outstanding outdoor concert venues.
“Securing and staging large-scale international concerts takes many months of planning and hard work by dedicated professionals and I’m delighted that these hugely successful events illustrate, once again, the tremendous benefits our activities bring to the city.”

– ENDS –

Background Information
The rescheduled Rolling Stones Australia/New Zealand concerts will take place between 25 October and 22 November 2014, with the exact dates to be released as soon as the scheduling is confirmed.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Mt Smart Stadium, 1-2 March 2014
• 80,000 attendees
• 40,540 visitors attracted to Auckland by the event, generating 64,060 visitor nights and a contribution to regional GDP of $8.39 million
• Return on regional investment of 191%
• Visitor spend of $12.4 million (excl GST)
• 93% of attendees were satisfied or very satisfied with the event
(average rating of 4.65 out of 5)

Rapture 2014 – Eminem, Western Springs Stadium, 15 February 2014
• 55,000 attendees
• 24,420 visitors attracted to Auckland by the event, generating 39,290 visitor nights and a contribution to regional GDP of $3.51 million
• Return on regional investment of 91%
• Visitor spend of $5.7 million (excl GST)
• 92% of attendees were satisfied or very satisfied with the event
(average rating of 4.55 out of 5)

Big Day Out, Western Springs Stadium, 17 January 2014
• 41,000 attendees
• 14,350 attendees attracted to Auckland by the event
• An estimated 22,830 visitor nights and a contribution to regional
GDP of $2.7 million (based on Eminem and Bruce Springsteen data)

Wicked, The Civic, 17 September - 24 November 2013
• 100,000+ attendees
• 25,740 visitors attracted to Auckland by the event, generating 36,770 visitor nights and a contribution to regional GDP of $4.69 million
• Return on regional investment of 81%
• Visitor spend of $8.61 million (excl GST)
• 92% of attendees were satisfied or very satisfied with the event
(average rating of 4.66 out of 5)

Western Springs Stadium improvements ($880,000) include:
• Health and safety improvements on the main bank including new stairwells, walkways and emergency exit
• New stairwells on the existing terrace
• Additional lighting
• Installation of fibre to support temporary event infrastructure
• New public address system and CCTV

Mt Smart Stadium improvements ($600,000) include:
• Development of new emergency stairwell and emergency gate for concert events
• Widening of existing walkways and stairwells to facilitate pedestrian flow at concert events
• Installation of fibre to support temporary event infrastructure

Regional Facilities Auckland
One of six council-controlled organisations, Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) is a charitable trust governed by a Board.
RFA manages more than $996-million worth of major regional facilities and landmark venues across the city, including Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Zoo, Viaduct Events Centre, The Civic, Aotea Centre, Auckland Town Hall, Mt Smart Stadium, Western Springs Stadium, and the Bruce Mason Centre. THE EDGE, Auckland Conventions and Auckland Stadiums also form part of the RFA group.

Working for Auckland in partnership with key stakeholders, RFA provides a regional voice for the arts, culture, heritage, and sport and leisure sectors to advocate for and lead strategic thinking that contributes to making Auckland a vibrant and prosperous city in which to live and visit.

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