Not enough overseas visitors in to offset local downwards trend.

September 2011 guest nights were up less than 1% on last year.

Wellington businesses are being warned about restrictions on advertising and trading during the Rugby World Cup later this year.

Ticket scalpers aren't blood-sucking scumbags - the NZRU and taxpayer-subsidised rugby fans are the real bludgers.

Rugby New Zealand 2011 has launched a “short, sharp” training programme that hopes to get the 10,000 to 15,000 staff needed to serve 1.7 million fans over the Rugby World Cup up to speed.

The programme, called EventStarNZ will be run through workplaces, polytechnics and institutes of technology from May and training will take place in hospitality, kitchen, retail and bar venues.

Developed jointly with the Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI), the programme could be used beyond the cup to other large events in the future, RNZ said.