Wellington's Cuba Street is renowned for its cafes. Photo: Supplied / Wellington City Council
Wellington restaurants and cafes say bookings are up by a third thanks to the huge number of events on in the capital.
More than 15 events are taking place this weekend alone, including the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, high-profile sporting events and two playground re-openings.
Restaurant Association president Mike Egan said it had been a great week in Wellington already, thanks to a national hockey tournament and the Black Caps versus Australia cricket test.
Restaurant Association president Mike Egan. Photo: RNZ / Max Towle
He said bookings were up at least 30 percent and that was a welcome respite.
"Talking to members, it's been really positive. Not just bookings, but people walking in off the street too. So it's really good - especially with a bit of doom and gloom [about the industry] in some of the headlines recently."
A Restaurant Association survey last year found pre-Christmas bookings to be lower than usual], and 40 percent of respondents pessimistic and 20 percent neutral about the summer season.
And in February fine dining Māori restaurant Hiakai announced it was shutting its doors this month.
Egan said the city was busy and vibrant - and this was good not just for the hospitality sector but for the whole city.
Wellington did have ongoing problems - including housing, transport issues and infrastructure failures - but there was also a lot to celebrate and it was important to be positive, he said.
"We need to celebrate the positive parts going on in our wonderful city. It's a beautiful place to live. We're all here, we're not going anywhere so we've all got to work together and band together like we have in the past."