About 27,000 people filled Forsyth Barr Stadium for the Bledisloe Cup face-off, injecting millions of dollars into Dunedin’s economy.
Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dougal McGowan said the test was likely to have contributed somewhere between $5 million and $10 million to Dunedin’s economy.
‘‘The crowd at the game was in good will, the Octagon was full and the warm weather brought people out again and cafe and shop owners were saying they had been busy all day.’’
Data showing eftpos spending in the city for the weekend would be available today or tomorrow, Mr McGowan said.
‘‘That doesn’t account for all of the spending All Blacks fans from out of the city did on the way here.
‘‘The city has done a great job at dressing itself up for the test and others like the French match next year.’’
Hospitality New Zealand Association Otago branch president Mark Scully said while it was too early to tell how much revellers had spent, the impact on the central hospitality industry was undeniable.
‘‘It’s wonderful on the day of the game, but the night before and the day after too.’’
The event also coaxed many locals out, he said.
Both of his businesses had been twice as busy as normal during the weekend.
Cafes and restaurants were likely to next be this crowded when Stevie Nicks and The Pretenders performed in November, Mr Scully said.
Dunedin Venues manager Kim Barnes said organisers would have a formal debriefing today but anecdotal feedback had been ‘‘terrific’’.
A police spokeswoman said in general revellers were well behaved.
Seven people were arrested, two at the game for trespass and offensive behaviour and five in the central city. All received pre-charge warnings.
