Public holiday surcharge set to sting rugby sevens fans
Wed, 04 Feb 2009 5:33p.m.
Waitangi Day is going to play a controversial role in Wellington's big annual party weekend, the rugby sevens.
This year the drinks and food will be the most expensive ever, with prices on Friday carrying a 15 percent surcharge because it is a public holiday.
Some of the Australian sevens team were more reluctant than others to brave the choppy conditions at Oriental Bay today, but it is hot competition which will draw 35,000 sevens fans to Westpac Stadium on both Friday and Saturday.
They won't just be hungry for the rugby. Spectators can expect all the usual stadium fare - hot chips, pies and hot dogs - but what may come as a surprise is the 15 percent surcharge they will have to pay.
The surcharge means a 375mm bottle of beer which would normally cost $5.50 will now cost $6.30.
The Hospitality Association says the surcharge is reasonable.
"They've got very high staffing numbers for a big event like that," says chief executive Bruce Robertson. "A lot of that cost is actually in the staff, and they've got to pay the staff more."
You are allowed to buy four beers at once, which will cost $25.20, then with a pie and a pottle of chips you are looking at $33.20, or $6.80 change from $40.
So with all that change, it may pay to get a costume with pockets.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Public-holiday-surcharge-set-to-sting-rugby-sevens-fans/tabid/415/articleID/89768/cat/237/Default.aspxUsually I totally understand why we have surcharges on public holidays, but for an event that charges ridiculasly expensive prices anyway (I went last year, hotdogs were $4.50, pottle of chips $5.50, beer $5.50), this is just down right extortion, plus you have the overpriced entrance ticket!!! I had a really good time last year and dressed up as Miss Sevens 2008, wore a bikini and got on TV
. Am not going this year due to the price of everything.
