Auckland hoteliers
take proactive stand on centre

Auckland hoteliers seem to be more open than ever to some form of accommodation tax or other contribution to support a national convention centre in the city. However, the sector would impose strict conditions if any such tax was agreed on and they would like to see the load spread among other ‘beneficiaries’ of a convention centre.

Jim Moore, New Zealand Hotel Council (NZHC) regional chair for the Auckland hotels say the city’s members agree they should be ‘leading the way and should be open to all funding models.’

However, Moore says hoteliers feel all interested parties should also be willing to contribute in a fair manner and that any funding agreed to should be guaranteed to go to this subject rather than into the general rates take.

At the time of going to press, the Aucklanders recommendation to contribute to funding a centre in some way still needed to be ratified by the national board of the NZHC.

‘Our understanding is that land has been set aside by the Auckland City Council as a possible site for a convention centre and that some funding has also been set aside for this project,’ says Moore. ‘The ACC has, however, stated that this project will not proceed without either central government an/or funding from other sources. (See Lack of Infrastructure, page 4; Opinion, page 58 and Trotter Talks, page 66.)