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Regional | Business

Waitangi Day provides boost for local economy

Waitangi Day has now passed but Waitangi was humming with visitors today with thousands coming ashore from visiting cruiseliners giving the local economy a much-appreciated boost.

Local entrepreneur, Anika West says, “I've already had, this morning, five different groups of people say, “We want to come back” and they haven't even been into town yet so that’s good."

The cruise ship market is expanding with 40 ships and over 65,000 visitors to Paihia this summer and a forecast of close to $30mil coming into the local economy.

West says, “It’s absolutely massive the benefit and ultimately when people are making money in Paihia, that will stretch out towards the rest of Northland.”