| AUCKLAND: Last years celebrations for little Kathy Kirk's 6th birthday party brought $120 million into the Auckland economy and created work for thousands economists reported yesterday. The birthday party which was hosted by Kathy's parents in the back yard of their Devonport home was estimated to have injected over $70 million dollars of spending into the local economy, as well as creating $50 million dollars in export earnings and creating the equivalent of 1,620 fulltime jobs. It is understood that Mr and Mrs Kirk spent over $80 on food and drink for the party while each of the party's 11 attendees spent an average of $6 on birthday presents. These estimates exclude the $20 book voucher that Kathy's grandmother sent up from Christchurch for the occasion, which has yet to be spent. Economists estimate that the trickle down effect from Kathy spending this voucher could boost the figure by an extra $30 million dollars. Economists believe that income from this Birthday party constitutes the biggest injection into the local economy since the Watson family of Balmoral backed over their neighbour's dog Jacko, injecting a whopping $175 million dollars into the economy. A study into the economic impact of next year's birthday party for Kathy's brother Paul has also been prepared by consultants Ernst & Young and KPMG. The report stated the event would be worth $90 million to the Auckland economy in the first year, increasing to $184 million after ten years. It would also create 350 jobs in the first year, leading to the creation of 1500 jobs after ten years. |
| Birthday party injects $120mil into Auckland Economy |
Sunday, 01 July 2001 12:00
