Visitor influx raises hopes of big spend

Matt Brown, Chris Jack and Jane Warrington, are opening their cafe on Saturday especially for the 50th anniversary parade. Photo / Hannah Norton

Whangarei businesses are being urged to take full advantage of a bumper weekend expected to inject at least $3.8 million into the local economy.

The city's 50th anniversary parade and the Four Nations rugby league test on Saturday are the two main drawcards in a jam-packed weekend of events, which also includes school fairs, markets, a comedy show and a teddy bears picnic.

Northland tourism leader Jeroen Jongejans said Whangarei businesses can maximise the influx of visitors by ensuring they offer top service.

"It's about alway making sure everyone has a really good experience. If we look after our visitors well, we will all benefit from it."

It could be as simple as serving someone with a smile on your face, he said. "Those little things will make a day for someone."

Venues and Events Whangarei manager John Lynch is encouraging local businesses to prepare for the onslaught, which he "guesstimates" at more than 5000 visitors alone for the Four Nations test match between the Kiwis and Samoa.

"We should all be trying to put our best foot forward from a customer service point of view. It's a massive day for the city."

Council figures suggest the match would inject $3.8 million into the local economy, Mr Lynch said.

"I know there's absolutely bus-loads of people coming up from Auckland and we've got two league teams in town for a whole week - that's seven nights' accommodation and three meals a day."

One business opening its doors especially for the bumper Saturday is The Walton St Cafe. Normally trading weekdays, the cafe will be open from 7am on Saturday for coffee and a "parade-friendly" breakfast menu, co-owner Matt Brown said. "We're celebrating the 50th anniversary and this is a great opportunity for folks who don't get to come down during the week to come and try us. We're hoping for a cracker of a weekend."

The 1960s themed parade, with more than 70 floats and 135 vehicles from a variety of local groups and organisations, will travel down Walton St from 10am on Saturday, finishing at the Town Basin.

Gates open to the Four Nations rugby league test at Toll Stadium at 1.15pm, with pre-match entertainment starting at 3pm and kick-off at 4pm.