A new event is planned for Rotorua, one that isn't the usual fare one might expect from our part of the country - a mid-winter festival.
As we report today, Fire and Ice will offer ice skating and a bunch of other activities, including activities around Matariki, the Maori NewYear, combining for what should be some great fun for all.
The event has come about as a result of the city bringing in a temporary ice skating rink, which will be set up at the lakefront and which formed the basis of the idea for the mid-winter festival.
Any new event is great for our city, even a one-off.
Events add colour, vibrancy and culture to a city and, of course, they also bring in people from outside the area; people who spend money on accommodation, food, tourist attractions, perhaps do a little shopping, eat out, enjoy some socialising in our bars, fill up their cars at our petrol stations.
Hopefully they leave here with good memories of their time in Rotorua and with intentions of returning. They will tell other people they know about their experiences here, spreading the word about our region, the events and what else is on offer.
The importance of events should never be underestimated. Events play a huge part in helping to keep our local economy ticking over.
