Late #1 - Hospitality NZ NDOCS-196698121-57997
4 June 2024
Hospitality New Zealand Level 2, Orbit Systems
House 94 Dixon Street
Wellington
6011
To whom it may concern,
Re:
Draft Amendments to the Saxton Field Reserve
Management Plan (relating
to alcohol advertising)
Hospitality New Zealand (Hospitality
NZ) is a member-led, not-for-profit organisation representing around 3,000 businesses, ranging across cafés, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, commercial accommodation, country hotels, and off-licences. We have a 122-year history
of advocating on behalf of the hospitality and tourism sector.
I am writing
to express my support for the draft amendment that would allow alcohol advertising to occur for international cricket matches where a contractual
sponsorship commitment is in place.
It is well-known that alcohol
companies are major sponsors of sporting events around the world. Allowing alcohol
advertising at Saxton
Oval aligns with international practices and ensures that ICC
and NZ Cricket can bring
matches to Nelson
that would otherwise go elsewhere. The economic and social benefits of these games far
outweigh the arguments against permitting alcohol advertising.
Major sporting events like cricket matches
attract a diverse
audience - die-hard
fans travel from all
over NZ and other parts of the world.
It
has already been signalled that we will no longer
be able to host international cricket matches if this
amendment is not made. Clearly, this will be a massive loss to our entire
region. It will mean that our accommodation providers, tourism,
hospitality and retail businesses will miss out on the much needed boost that these games bring. The
loss to our profile on the world stage and the negative impact on the
reputation of Nelson on the events circuit also cannot be overlooked.
While concerns about responsible
drinking are valid, alcohol advertising can be conducted in a manner that
promotes moderation and responsible consumption. I acknowledge the concerns
that exposure to alcohol
advertising may lead to earlier
onset of drinking.
However, recent evidence
shows a notable decrease
in alcohol consumption and related harm among young
people in New Zealand. A recent study reported a 14.3% reduction
in emergency department visits due to alcohol among those under 25 over a
9-year period. The current advertising guidelines under the Sale and Supply of
Alcohol Act 2012 are fit-for-purpose and address responsible alcohol promotion
whilst considering public health and safety concerns.
This
amendment is critical
to ensure we can continue
to host these international events and bring the
much needed economic and social benefits to our region.
Sincerely,
Zinnia Foster
Regional Manager Hospitality New Zealand
PO Box 503,
Wellington 6140
0800 500 503 | info@hospitality.org.nz | www.hospitality.org.nz
I have carefully reviewed the proposed amendments to the Saxton
Field Reserve Management Plan Section 4.8.1 (Alcohol). It is clear that the author of
the amendment, and the members of this
Committee, have heard and understood past testimony and tabled evidence on
alcohol harm and alcohol advertising.
The author of amendment does not detail what led to the recent categorisation
of a policy banning all alcohol
advertising as "impractical". This
policy has been in place since at least June 2021, in the form of the Saxton Field Reserve Management Plan.
A one-time exception was granted
when New Zealand Cricket found itself in
a difficult situation with new sponsor Asahi, and coerced this Committee into
suspending the existing policy before last December's international cricket
matches. Evidently this concession
was not enough for New Zealand Cricket or the International Cricket Council
(ICC). The amendment tightens the
noose one notch further by requesting a suspension of approved policy any time an international match might wander
into town. The chokehold tightens by
further requesting that alcohol advertising be allowed on player's clothing.
Ubiquitous alcohol advertising is not a basic requirement of this game.
Please see the first slide, a
painting of 1836 First Grand Match played
by members of the Royal Amateur
Society on Hampton Court Green.
( Display slide on page 2 )
All players were the traditional all
white uniform that uniquely identifies the game. A mere handful of spectators
stand around the oval, enjoying the play.
Professionalism has dramatically changed
the nature of the sport since 1836.
This game gained popularity at the
peak of the British Empire, and since
then, the Empire Strikes Back. Players
and audiences today originate from all over the world, and the money spent on
matches is astronomical.
Cricket is not Formula One racing. We do not expect players to have sold
valuable real estate on their bodies to advertisers, as Formula One drivers do. Please see the second slide, which
transports the historical players to today's Saxton Oval. Do we want to enjoy the game, or be
distracted by Asahi logos on the back of the
players?
( Display slide on page 3 )
International cricket does not need
the money derived from a few incremental sales of Asahi alcoholic products, the result of the subtle influence of a
logo on the field on a thirsty fan.
(Show slide on page 4, temporary
cricket oval on Long Island, New York)
The recent matches just outside New
York City amply demonstrate that the ICC has the money to build a temporary
oval to accomodate one series of matches,
then tear it down waiting for a "suitable" facility to be built. I recommend you read the referenced
article in The Guardian to understand ICC's tactics and motives.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jun/05/new-york-cricket-scene-the-spin
ICC has spent $30M USD on this
facility to raise awareness of the
sport in the lucrative US market. Still,
the matches are held at 10:30 AM on weekdays in New York, because that is when
the hundreds of millions of Asia television viewers can see live
broadcasts.
The matches are not cost free to the
localities that host them. In a June
3, 2024 article in BBC News, it was reported that Nassau County Police
Department has deployed SWAT teams, specialist snipers and plain clothes
officers to ensure security during the matches.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cg33y6104qxo
This level of security, described as appropriate to a "Super Bowl on
Steroids", is the result of a
terrorism threat from a pro-Isis group.
Saxton Oval has no guarantee that
international cricket matches will be held in Stoke, ever. The focus of the ICC appears to be outside New Zealand.
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Saxton Field Resource Management
Plan Amendment NCA Verbal Submission
7 June 2024
1. Nelson Cricket Association Inc (NCA) unreservedly
supports and endorses the proposed amendments
to the Saxton Field Management Plan so as to allow alcohol advertising (on a restricted basis) at
Saxton Field.
2. NCA recognizes and accepts the wisdom of alcohol constraint.
Constraint however does not mean prohibition.
3.
In NCA’s view the proposed amendments are prudent and responsible because
a. they recognise and maximise
Saxton Oval and the unique opportunity it provides to enhance and promote the
Nelson-Tasman region,
b. but also because they recognise the importance of sport in a healthy,
vibrant community.
Enhancement of Nelson Tasman
4. The NRDA has estimated that international cricket fixtures at Saxton Oval benefit the region in the vicinity
of $2.5 million. That is significant and a vital contribution to this
area’s growth and profile.
5. Ticket sales
and viewership for international cricket
at Saxton Oval for the 2023/2024
season are illuminating. Details show;
a) Total tickets 7448.
b) TVNZ total cumulative reach (exposure) across both teams was 1,775,100!
c) The games brought visitors to the region: (5% Black caps/36% White Ferns)
d) These extremely high
viewership numbers reflect “free to air” aspect of this broadcasting, offering Nelson/Tasman unequalled promotion and exposure of the
region.
6. The evidence is clear that the internationals were a resounding success, especially for a region re-entering the international arena after a
considerable hiatus.
Sport in the Community
The positive
benefits of sport in the community are compelling;
- watching their sporting idols in action
encourages participation in children and adolescents.
-
watching sport has proven to provide health and wellbeing benefits
982984479-7608
- sporting
events such as this create
a positive sense of community
Summary
1. There is no evidence of any alcohol
abuse at major cricket events at Saxton.
2. Saxton Field “is a
significant regional sport and recreation venue”1, into
which both Councils have invested heavily.
3. The success achieved in
attracting international fixtures
should not be put
at risk by declining an amendment to the Management Plan that ensures
ongoing productive use of a major regional asset, promotion of the region and
promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
4. The proposed amendments
will enable this region to compete on a level basis with others to ensure the enhancement and growth of the Nelson/Tasman region and its citizens.
Andy Leonard
Chair NCA
1982984479-7608
