Auckland guaranteed future triathlon races

The success of the ITU world championship Grand Final has secured Auckland a world series race for the next four years.

Auckland has wrestled the leg away from Sydney, and is the only race of the year to be held in the southern hemisphere.

The first of the races will be held in just six months, with the Auckland event to kick off the world series in April.

Triathlon NZ CEO Craig Waugh says a four year deal provides a legacy following on from the Grand Final race.

Tourism Industry Association chief executive Martin Snedden says it's the biggest sporting event Auckland has held since the Rugby World Cup.

"Even in the bad weather as the weekend went on they still came out, they still enjoyed it, we know there are lots and lots of visitors. We know that there was a fantastic global TV audience for this."

Mr Snedden says events tourism is becoming more and more important to New Zealand.

Photo: Chris Gregory