Christchurch Has Plenty Of Beds For Visitors Drawn By Large Events
This is welcome news to the city, which is becoming more attractive to visitors and, with the forthcoming opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, to large event promoters.
Electric Avenue 2025 generated 62,902 visitor nights with an average stay of 2.97 nights, and Supercars Championship which is confirmed for April 17-19, 2026, is projected to generate about 38,000 visitor nights across those three days.
The research by Fresh Info was commissioned by ChristchurchNZ to help its understanding of the accommodation market in the city and its surrounds ahead of a bumper year of major events in 2026. ChristchurchNZ also bids or supports major events in the city, such as SailGP, Electric Avenue and Supercars Championship.
Where are all these beds?
Accommodation across Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri includes capacity for 6928 people in hotels, 4984 in motels, 1945 in backpackers, 8912 in holiday parks and hosted Bed and Breakfasts, and 16,435 in peer-to-peer accommodation such as AirBnB and holiday homes.
Capacity in peer-to-peer accommodation is spread across 3863 unique listings in the region containing 9,839 beds.
Christchurch city can accommodate around 32,000 people per night in commercial accommodation and the adjacent Waimakariri and Selwyn districts can accommodate around 7,200.
How do large events impact hotel prices?
The research also showed large events do impact hotel rates, although the average increases are well below the occasional highly priced hotel listing that makes headlines. Electric Avenue 2024 increased average hotel prices by $20-36 per night relative to one week before and after the event (excluding GST). SailGP 2024 increased average hotel prices by $48-69 per night by the same criteria and Electric Avenue 2025 increased average hotel prices by $69-71 per night.
What about staying with friends or family?
The research also indicated that Greater Christchurch residents are supporting friends and relatives who come to the region for a major event.
For most events, about 60% stay in commercial accommodation with another 40% staying with a friend or relative in town.
ChristchurchNZ General Manager of Destination and Attraction Loren Aberhart says the research findings should give both event attendees and promoters confidence in the city's ability to continue holding large events.
'With the opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, Ōtautahi Christchurch has the perfect opportunity to become the events capital of the country. This data shows our city has the capacity to welcome these large events in a balanced way, where we can enjoy both the excitement and economic benefits of events. It shows perceptions of accommodation price gouging are largely one-off, but also that our resident population are doing their share, hosting friends and family and showing them a good time while in the city.'
What does this mean for Christchurch?
The research showed a clear lift in accommodation pricing, demand, and occupancy across the year reviewed, demonstrating the positive impact events have on the accommodation sector. Fresh Info Managing Director Shane Vuletich says, 'This research is the first of its kind in New Zealand, and will support Christchurch in assessing periods of peak demand and accommodation surge in order to tailor timing for hosting major events. It should also give Christchurch and event promoters confidence that the city can cope with large volumes of visitors, and to future hotel investors that the Christchurch market will continue to perform well once One New Zealand Stadium opens.'
ABOUT CHRISTCHURCHNZ | ChristchurchNZ is the city's sustainable economic development and city profile agency. Our purpose is to stimulate sustainable economic growth for a more prosperous Christchurch.
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Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Christchurch Has Plenty Of Beds For Visitors Drawn By Large Events
This is welcome news to the city, which is becoming more attractive to visitors and, with the forthcoming opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, to large event promoters. July 17, 2025: New research has confirmed there is enough commercial accommodation capacity in Christchurch city and the adjacent Waimakariri and Selwyn districts to host around 39,200 people per night. This is welcome news to the city, which is becoming more attractive to visitors and, with the forthcoming opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, to large event promoters. Electric Avenue 2025 generated 62,902 visitor nights with an average stay of 2.97 nights, and Supercars Championship which is confirmed for April 17-19, 2026, is projected to generate about 38,000 visitor nights across those three days. The research by Fresh Info was commissioned by ChristchurchNZ to help its understanding of the accommodation market in the city and its surrounds ahead of a bumper year of major events in 2026. ChristchurchNZ also bids or supports major events in the city, such as SailGP, Electric Avenue and Supercars Championship. Where are all these beds? Accommodation across Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri includes capacity for 6928 people in hotels, 4984 in motels, 1945 in backpackers, 8912 in holiday parks and hosted Bed and Breakfasts, and 16,435 in peer-to-peer accommodation such as AirBnB and holiday homes. Capacity in peer-to-peer accommodation is spread across 3863 unique listings in the region containing 9,839 beds. Christchurch city can accommodate around 32,000 people per night in commercial accommodation and the adjacent Waimakariri and Selwyn districts can accommodate around 7,200. How do large events impact hotel prices? The research also showed large events do impact hotel rates, although the average increases are well below the occasional highly priced hotel listing that makes headlines. Electric Avenue 2024 increased average hotel prices by $20-36 per night relative to one week before and after the event (excluding GST). SailGP 2024 increased average hotel prices by $48-69 per night by the same criteria and Electric Avenue 2025 increased average hotel prices by $69-71 per night. What about staying with friends or family? The research also indicated that Greater Christchurch residents are supporting friends and relatives who come to the region for a major event. For most events, about 60% stay in commercial accommodation with another 40% staying with a friend or relative in town. ChristchurchNZ General Manager of Destination and Attraction Loren Aberhart says the research findings should give both event attendees and promoters confidence in the city's ability to continue holding large events. 'With the opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, Ōtautahi Christchurch has the perfect opportunity to become the events capital of the country. This data shows our city has the capacity to welcome these large events in a balanced way, where we can enjoy both the excitement and economic benefits of events. It shows perceptions of accommodation price gouging are largely one-off, but also that our resident population are doing their share, hosting friends and family and showing them a good time while in the city.' What does this mean for Christchurch? The research showed a clear lift in accommodation pricing, demand, and occupancy across the year reviewed, demonstrating the positive impact events have on the accommodation sector. Fresh Info Managing Director Shane Vuletich says, 'This research is the first of its kind in New Zealand, and will support Christchurch in assessing periods of peak demand and accommodation surge in order to tailor timing for hosting major events. It should also give Christchurch and event promoters confidence that the city can cope with large volumes of visitors, and to future hotel investors that the Christchurch market will continue to perform well once One New Zealand Stadium opens.' ABOUT CHRISTCHURCHNZ | ChristchurchNZ is the city's sustainable economic development and city profile agency. Our purpose is to stimulate sustainable economic growth for a more prosperous Christchurch.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Christchurch Has Plenty Of Beds For Visitors Drawn By Large Events
July 17, 2025: New research has confirmed there is enough commercial accommodation capacity in Christchurch city and the adjacent Waimakariri and Selwyn districts to host around 39,200 people per night. This is welcome news to the city, which is becoming more attractive to visitors and, with the forthcoming opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, to large event promoters. Electric Avenue 2025 generated 62,902 visitor nights with an average stay of 2.97 nights, and Supercars Championship which is confirmed for April 17-19, 2026, is projected to generate about 38,000 visitor nights across those three days. The research by Fresh Info was commissioned by ChristchurchNZ to help its understanding of the accommodation market in the city and its surrounds ahead of a bumper year of major events in 2026. ChristchurchNZ also bids or supports major events in the city, such as SailGP, Electric Avenue and Supercars Championship. Where are all these beds? Accommodation across Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri includes capacity for 6928 people in hotels, 4984 in motels, 1945 in backpackers, 8912 in holiday parks and hosted Bed and Breakfasts, and 16,435 in peer-to-peer accommodation such as AirBnB and holiday homes. Capacity in peer-to-peer accommodation is spread across 3863 unique listings in the region containing 9,839 beds. Christchurch city can accommodate around 32,000 people per night in commercial accommodation and the adjacent Waimakariri and Selwyn districts can accommodate around 7,200. How do large events impact hotel prices? The research also showed large events do impact hotel rates, although the average increases are well below the occasional highly priced hotel listing that makes headlines. Electric Avenue 2024 increased average hotel prices by $20-36 per night relative to one week before and after the event (excluding GST). SailGP 2024 increased average hotel prices by $48-69 per night by the same criteria and Electric Avenue 2025 increased average hotel prices by $69-71 per night. What about staying with friends or family? The research also indicated that Greater Christchurch residents are supporting friends and relatives who come to the region for a major event. For most events, about 60% stay in commercial accommodation with another 40% staying with a friend or relative in town. ChristchurchNZ General Manager of Destination and Attraction Loren Aberhart says the research findings should give both event attendees and promoters confidence in the city's ability to continue holding large events. 'With the opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, Ōtautahi Christchurch has the perfect opportunity to become the events capital of the country. This data shows our city has the capacity to welcome these large events in a balanced way, where we can enjoy both the excitement and economic benefits of events. It shows perceptions of accommodation price gouging are largely one-off, but also that our resident population are doing their share, hosting friends and family and showing them a good time while in the city.' What does this mean for Christchurch? The research showed a clear lift in accommodation pricing, demand, and occupancy across the year reviewed, demonstrating the positive impact events have on the accommodation sector. Fresh Info Managing Director Shane Vuletich says, 'This research is the first of its kind in New Zealand, and will support Christchurch in assessing periods of peak demand and accommodation surge in order to tailor timing for hosting major events. It should also give Christchurch and event promoters confidence that the city can cope with large volumes of visitors, and to future hotel investors that the Christchurch market will continue to perform well once One New Zealand Stadium opens.' ABOUT CHRISTCHURCHNZ | ChristchurchNZ is the city's sustainable economic development and city profile agency. Our purpose is to stimulate sustainable economic growth for a more prosperous Christchurch.
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Society Insider: Peter and Lucinda Burling's new life in Italy; Kiwi It Girls in Europe; YouTube star Jesse James opens new Ponsonby Rd bar
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli is based in Cagliari, a major port city, until the next America's Cup regatta takes place off the coast of Naples in 2027. Last month, the former Emirates Team New Zealand, three-time America's Cup skipper announced he was joining Prada Group chairman Patrizio Bertelli's team. 'I've always loved racing against Luna Rossa, and now to join this iconic team is a real honour,' said 34-year-old Burling. Burling will play a pivotal role in the team's leadership group and development programme. Peter Burling in his new Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli uniform. The impressive base is nestled on the Molo Ichnusa harbour area, where the team perform daily tests and analyses on and off the water. Society Insider is told Burling and Luna Rossa are keenly awaiting the release of the final protocols for the 2027 cup by Burling's former boss, Team NZ chief executive Grant Dalton. Lucinda, a lawyer and interior design expert, loves Cagliari's rich history and diverse architecture. 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The giant Naveya & Soane ring box installation brimming with fresh blooms by local florist Bek Novak. Photo / Chloe Pomfret Among the guests were Metropol Magazine editor Nina Tucker; Lomas Kerr director Julia Lomas; Spark PR & Activate event manager Danielle McEnaney; and fashion stylist Lou Heller. Tuscany Hamel and Richard Clarke. Photo / Chloe Pomfret Georgia Royle and Michael Karabassis. Photo / Chloe Pomfret Denise Faraco, Fraser Bremford and Natalie Crowe. Photo / Chloe Pomfret Leo Noordanus, Hannah Brown and Nina Tucker. Photo / Chloe Pomfret Sophie Stephens and Brianna Boyd. Photo / Chloe Pomfret Rachel Sloane and Alex Bunnett. Photo / Chloe Pomfret Ana-Maria Didenco and Kasia Stanicich. Photo / Chloe Pomfret Julia Lomas and Emma McLaughlin. Photo / Chloe Pomfret Central city splash Kiwi technical outerwear company Inselberg treated guests to a sneak preview of the brand's latest design at a pop-up shop in Auckland's Britomart last Tuesday. Calvin Lee and Jarlath Anderson at their Inselberg pop-up at Britomart. Photo / Katie Armstrong Labelled 'the world's toughest shell jacket', the Axiom Shell was put through its paces over three years by members of the Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Rescue Team in the Southern Alps. The jacket was also put to the test at the event, with various demonstrations of the fabric's strength, including an in-store rain shower. Drinks were also flowing, and canapes were served by neighbouring restaurant Ortolana. Inselberg founder Jarlath Anderson shared the brand's back story in front of the guests, who included Black Foils SailGP sailor Leo Takahashi, Olympic swimmer Lewis Clareburt, international rugby referee Ben O'Keeffe, 1News presenter Jenny Suo, Shortland Street star Ben Barrington, fashion stylist Sarah Stuart and influencers Simone Anderson and Tarryn Donaldson. Jessica Weale and Ben Barrington. Photo / Katie Armstrong Ben O'Keeffe and Zac Dickinson. Photo / Katie Armstrong Calvin Lee and Tom Walsh. Photo / Katie Armstrong Leo Takahashi, Jarlath Anderson and Lewis Clareburt. Photo / Katie Armstrong Sarah Stuart, Jessica Weale and Carolyn Enting. Photo / Katie Armstrong Simone Anderson and Sarah Wallace. Photo / Katie Armstrong Ricardo Simich has been with the Herald since 2008 where he contributed to The Business Insider. In 2012 he took over Spy at the Herald on Sunday, which has since evolved into Society Insider. The weekly column gives a glimpse into the worlds of the rich and famous.
