Council sets funding for city events

5 August 2005

Funds to develop a new Antarctica Festival and boost the World Buskers and New Zealand Cup and Show week festivals were approved as part of a $1.887 million events funding package considered by the Christchurch City Council yesterday.

Staff recommendations were presented in a Festivals and Events Funding 2005/2006 report to Council, which sought Council confirmation of funding decisions for a programme of 2005/2006 festivals and events totalling $1.887m.

This included $60,000  for the development of an Antarctica Festival to increase activity around the Antarctic season opening in October, 2005, and bigger preparations for a full Festival in 2006.

Council Marketing Manager Richard Stokes told Council that the proposed festival was supported by Antarctic Link Community and would be jointly developed and implemented with the Council International Relations and Events Team. The festival would acknowledge Antarctica partners’ contribution to Christchurch.

The Council approved increased funding for the World Buskers Festival to help cement it as a world-class festival attraction inextricably linked to Christchurch. The increased support would enable organisers to plan a 2006 festival with certainty and continue to establish it as the largest street festival in Australasia. Organisers of the festival were frequently being approached by other cities about relocation, Mr Stokes said.

Showtime Canterbury – to be renamed New Zealand Cup and Show Week – will receive $85,000 to establish Canterbury Fashion Week within the festival.  This would provide a platform to increase visitors to Christchurch for New Zealand Cup and Show Week and showcase Canterbury fashion.

A proposal for a Harvest Canterbury Festival, which sought $350,000 has been turned down for 2006.  Council has instead requested that the joint Canterbury A&P Association, Canterbury Horticultural Society, and Christchurch Garden City Trust  proposal for this Festival further develop business plans and financial projections to be considered within a full review of garden festivals and events across the year.

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