West Auckland sets sights on tourism

Press, 19 July 1988, Page 27

West Auckland sets sights on tourism

PA Auckland West Auckland plans to overthrow Queenstown and Rotorua as a tourist destination, says its special tourist board. But the West Auckland Tourist Board’s announcement of an aggresive marketing campaign to corner the tourist industry drew a blank with the Queenstown Promotion Bureau. “Where is West Auckland?” said the bureau’s promotions co-ordinator, Miss Lois McNab.

“Don’t they have a few vineyards out that way?” The board is promoting West Auckland as the largest producer of New Zealand wine, a mecca for beach lovers, particularly surfers, and a top leisure centre with many established amusement parks.

Miss McNab said there was nothing wrong with a positive approach to marketing. However, the claim of overtaking

Queenstown and Rotorua as the hot-spots for tourists just must have been “tongue-in-cheek.” A board spokesman and Waitemata councillor, Mr Stan Lauch, said that with the right marketing, West Auckland could become a nationally and internationally viable destination. “We have better value in terms of cost effectiveness as a tourist destination and we are rich in our own unique attractions. West is best.” West Auckland, defined as an area from the zbo, and Western Springs through to Helensville, had the best beaches in New Zealand, just 10 minutes from the city. It had the scenic Waitakere Ranges, 27 wineries producing world class wines, the first floodlit night racing in Australasia, Lynnmall, the largest indoor shopping mall in the country, and an upsurge in premium tourist

accommodation. Miss McNab said QueenstoWn’s new industry was also wine and invited the board down to sample the area’s latest vintage. She also joked that Avondale night racing could find some talent at Queenstown’s annual Glenorchy races — a picnic meeting using farm horses. “We will arrange to lend our big names to their meetings provided they arrange the freight.”