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The country’s largest sports arena, Eden Park, will be renamed Coopers Catch Park for a week to give a little Kaikōura fish and chips a promotional boost.
ASB Bank, the stadium’s banking partner, transferred the temporary naming rights to Jason and Natasja Hill, owners of the Coopers Catch fish and chip shop.
The business was hit hard by the Covid-19 travel restrictions, because the city relies heavily on tourism.
Jason Hill said that this year had been especially difficult as his five-year business was recovering from the financial and emotional toll the Kaikōura earthquake had taken on his community.
“It honestly feels surreal that they change the name from Eden Park to our little family business,” Hill said.
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“It has been a really difficult year. The most difficult thing is not knowing what is happening and what could be around the corner due to Covid-19, “he said.
“During the entire first closing I only had three days off because I was trying to prepare the business to operate at different levels.”
During the first level 4 lockdown in March, revenues fell to zero, but without the rent relief, the company continued to pay ongoing costs.
ANUJA NADKARNI / Things
ASB Bank, the stadium’s banking partner, transferred the temporary naming rights to Jason Hill and Natasja Hill, owners of the Coopers Catch fish and chip shop.
Natasja Hill said the wage subsidy was a great help to the company, which was able to retain all nine employees.
“They are part of the community. We know how difficult it is for them and they trust us to make good decisions, ”he said.
ASB Commercial Banking Executive General Manager Tim Deane said he wanted to give away the naming rights to a struggling small business to raise its profile and support the hospitality industry.
“Like most New Zealand businesses, Eden Park has been challenged to find ways to embrace the new normal to ensure that we can continue to operate, innovate and give back to the community,” said Deane.
ANUJA NADKARNI / Things
(Left to right) Eden Parker’s CEO Nick Sautner with ASB CEO of Corporate Banking Tim Deane.
He said the Hills fish and chip shop was selected because of the resilience the business had shown.
“They were really focused on keeping staff because they realized that their experienced staff was a core part of the business, and they are community-minded and have a strong sense of their place in Kaikōura,” he said.
Deane said this week’s promotion for the business would be significant, as it could become a tourist attraction.
Only ASB business customers were eligible.
“It will be a huge hit with rugby fans. What rugby fan passing through the South Island won’t make a stop at Coopers Catch?
“There is no question that this type of public relations will raise your profile and increase your income line,” Deane said.
It was the first time that the stadium had decided to temporarily cede the rights to the name.
Eden Parker’s CEO Nick Sautner said Eden Park was not considering selling its naming rights again.
“We are in an unprecedented time and, like all companies, Eden Park seeks to embrace the new normal,” Sautner said.
BROOK SABIN / Things
Auckland rugby fans will be able to attend the second round of the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park on October 18.
“We identified an opportunity to extract value during this challenging time, but also to support a local business through our partnership with ASB.”
Shortly after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday that Auckland would join the rest of the country in moving to Tier 1, New Zealand Rugby confirmed that the second round, to be played at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday 18 October, would go ahead.
The All Blacks drew 16-16 in their first test of the year against Australia in Wellington.
