Aussie footy fans lift stats

Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas

Australian sports fans helped boost guest night numbers in Hawke's Bay this July.

Guest nights for Hawke's Bay and Gisborne combined were up 2.3 per cent to 70,000 this July on last, according to Statistics New Zealand.

Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said guest nights in Hawke's Bay alone rose 11 per cent. Many of those visitors were from overseas, she said.

A Melbourne Storm and St George Illawarra Dragons NRL game held in July had attracted many from Australia.

She said the Spring Fling was now underway in central Hawke's Bay for the month of September. The Festival at Pukeora Estate had attracted a big crowd last weekend.

Taniwha Daffodils, where people could see and pick daffodils at a Takapau farm, would be open for the whole month. Ms Dundas said it was a beautiful experience for families.

The Hastings blossom festival which happening this weekend and Hawke's Bay Racing's spring carnival would take place in early October.

National guest nights for July 2015 were 4 per cent higher than in July 2014, according to Statistics New Zealand.

Business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly said two-thirds of the rise for July was from North Island domestic guest nights.

"International guest nights and South Island guest nights also increased, but to a lesser extent."

For July 2015 compared with July 2014, North Island guest nights were up 5.7 per cent, and South Island guest nights were up 1.4 per cent.

Domestic guest nights were up 4.4 per cent and international guest nights 3.3 per cent.

For the year ended July 2015, national guest nights rose 5.3 per cent from the July 2014 year.

A guest night refers to one guest spending one night in a hotel, motel, backpacker establishment or holiday park.