NPDC events and venues were a hit despite a damp summer. The TSB Festival of Lights drew an estimated 162,500 visits to Pukekura Park over its five‑week season - a 4.8 per cent increase on last summer and a strong sign of its continuing appeal.
The sizzling hot start to the season also sent residents and visitors diving into NPDC pools, with more than 100,000 people cooling off at the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre between November and the end of January. Community pools were buzzing too, with Inglewood (4,676), Waitara (11,049) and Okāto (5,365) all enjoying strong attendance.
Entertainment was another big winner with British comedian Jimmy Carr playing to an almost sold-out TSB Stadium and at the Bowl of Brooklands, the Rock the Bowl and L.A.B concerts helped anchor a vibrant Summer at the Bowl series.
“It’s been a great summer so far,” says NPDC Venue and Events manager Chade Julie.
“We’re still crunching the numbers on the TSB Festival of Lights and have a couple of concerts to go, but we’re expecting a clear picture soon on the wider economic impact of our major events, and how many visitors travelled from outside the region.”
The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre welcomed 13,469 visitors over December/January to experience its two summer exhibitions and drop-in art sessions, and the Len Lye Centre Cinema was particularly popular during January’s less than summery weather, attracting 1,531 cinemagoers.
Puke Ariki Museum is also celebrating the success of its Rescue exhibition, which gives children insight into what it takes to be a hero by helping others and includes 17 interactive exhibits from smoke-filled rooms, rescue helicopters to emergency broadcasts.
On 3 January alone, 1,950 people walked through the doors of the museum, with Rescue the major drawcard.
Meanwhile the team at the i‑SITE New Plymouth information centre, based in Puke Ariki, were also kept busy with 7,176 visitors coming through the doors in December, offering local advice and helping visitors book everything from places to stay to activities, attractions and travel.
