Whangarei's sex industry is cautiously optimistic the Rugby World Cup will see a boost in business but are holding off taking on more staff.
A sex worker from one Whangarei brothel, who did not want to be named, said her workplace had not taken on any extra staff at this stage, but she was hopeful the cup would lead to an increase in clients.
"We expect it to be busier and we hope it will be good for the sex industry here," the woman said.
"We think there will be more people seeking our services, particularly in the days around the two games here."
She said more workers could be found if demand increased.
Traditionally there was more demand for their services when big sporting events were on, she said.
Brothels in other towns and cities hosting teams of games for the Rugby World Cup have extended hours and taken on extra sex workers to meet an expected increase in demand for their services as cup revellers look for other forms of entertainment.
Some Rotorua brothels are expecting a 50 per cent increase in business during the cup, with the city hosting three games.
But so far Whangarei's sex industry has not geared up for any extra business with a spokesman for two of the brothels - Happy House Escorts in Maunu Rd and Heaven's Door escorts in Walton St - unsure if the cup will lead to any extra work for his businesses.
A Whangarei brothel owner, who did not want to be named, said he had yet to see any increase in demand for his establishments' services and had not taken on any extra staff just in case.
"I've get enough ladies [to call on] if there is. I'm not sure it will lead to an increase in business, but we'll have to wait and see if there is," the man said.
He said his two establishments were open 24 hours a day anyway so he could not extend opening hours. "We're always open for business."
Whangarei is hosting two RWC games - Tonga v Canada on September 14 and Tonga v Japan of September 21 - and large numbers of people are expected to be in Whangarei in the days before and after both games.
Auckland/Northland regional coordinator for the NZ Prostitutes Collective Annah Pickering said there was no increase in the number of working girls in Whangarei as the cup approached and in Auckland it was "very quiet" for sex industry workers at the moment.
"Probably around the finals time it will get busy [for the sex industry] with the influx of visitors," Ms Pickering said. "But [the RWC] is great for the country, for tourism and business."