Why Tauranga’s major events need to deliver more than visitor spending

PremiumOpinionOpinion byMatt CowleyMatt Cowley is chief executive of the Tauranga Business Chamber·Bay of Plenty Times·3 Aug, 2026 05:00 PM3 mins to read‌ Major events are an important part of the Western Bay’s economic strategy. Photo / NZME, PhotosportIf every event delivered the economic benefits claimed in its post-event report, New Zealand’s economic growth challenges would probably be solved by now.That’s a slight exaggeration, but it reflects growing noise from central and local governments that justify why they want to attract more major events. Almost every event