The Rugby World Cup and Kiwis’ emotions

The first post Rugby World Cup research on how the event affected New Zealanders shows an overwhelming 84.8% think it was good for New Zealand.

And 63% said for them and their household it was fun.  51.6% say it caused excitement, 38% that is was good for their community and 25% say it brought them together with friends.

80% feel good about the event overall, according to an October 26-28 RadioLIVE-HorizonPoll of 887 people nationwide. Weight to represent the population it has a maximum margin of error of +/- 3.3%.

63% say the event brought New Zealanders together and 60% say it lifted their pride in New Zealand.

Only 5.4% say the event was boring, 2.4% said it was no fun and 3.4% said it made them sad.

A huge 93.8% of people aged 18+watched a game on television at some time during the six week event. 71.3% (about 2.2 million adults) watched the Final on television.

50.8% of people aged 18+ watched every all Black game on television.

The first measure of the “stadium of four million” claim shows New Zealanders’ embraced teams other than the All Blacks during the event:

• 49.8% supported another team as well as the All Blacks
• 12.5% of adults (about 400,000 people) attended a game in which the All Blacks did not play.

72.4% want New Zealand to bid to host the event again.

How long will the good feelings last?

For 61% they will wear off within a few days to a few weeks.

Only 14.2% think the good feeling will last through till the next world cup in four years’ time.

The impact on business:

The cup made no difference financially for 74% of businesses.

It lifted sales for 7.8% of businesses, with 6.8% of business owners saying that resulted in a lift in profits.

However, 5.4% said it decreased sales and 4.1% said it cut their profits.

5.6% say it has created future business opportunities and 9.2% say it had a good effect on staff.

47% of those in the accommodation, cafe or restaurant sector said it increased their profits.

Knighthoods

Just over a third of New Zealanders think All Black captain Richie McCaw and coach Graham Henry should be knighted to recognise their involvement in the Rugby World Cup.

The two top the poll of possible recipients with 34.5% and 35% respectively, while 22.9% think former New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs, who helped secure the event, should be knighted.

Some 41.7% think none of the list of seven potential candidates should get the honour.

The highest of the also-rans was former Prime Minister Helen Clark, at 5.9%, who did away with the honour during her time in office. 2.2% think Prime Minister John Key should be knighted for his involvement with the event.

The poll of 887 respondents was taken between 8am Wednesday October 26 and 9.30am Friday October 28. Weighted by age, gender, ethnicity, personal income, region and party vote 2008 to provide a representative sample of the New Zealand population, the maximum margin of error at a 95% confidence level is +/- 3.3%.

For further information please contact:

Grant McInman

Manager

Horizon Research

Telephone: 021 076 2040

E-mail: gmcinman@horizonresearch.co.nz