The Christchurch economy was boosted by $19.7 million directly from hosting the Ellerslie Flower Show this year, an independent study has revealed.

That is more than $3 million higher than the amount generated when the event was held in Auckland.

After bidding against Auckland and Hamilton, Christchurch won the right to host the annual horticultural event in 2007.

This year the show attracted 80,000 visitors to the ‘garden city’ of Christchurch.

All the headlines in Christchurch newspapers have screamed it in recent days so it must be true – the Ellerslie flower trade show in Christchurch was a HUGE SUCCESS, attracting about 75,000 people.

The show was supported by full page council-paid colour advertisements in the said newspapers, ensuring that reporters would appraise the show objectively and critically (not).

And Christchurch City mayor Bob Parker used his paid news feature space in those newspapers to reinforce the HUGE SUCCESS the show was.