6 April 2005

City sponsorship for three major events

Three major events have been granted sponsorship by Auckland City Council based on the benefits they will bring to the city.

“We are sponsoring these events because they are particularly valuable for the city and the people who live and visit here,” said Councillor Richard Northey, chairperson of the council’s Economic Development and Sustainable Business Committee which is delegated to make the sponsorship decisions.

The biennial Auckland Writers and Readers Festival 2005 will receive $20,000, an increase from $10,000 sponsorship for the last festival in 2003. The increase in sponsorship reflects the growth in the popularity and significance of the event both nationally and internationally.

The Auckland Art Fair, a new event run by the Contemporary Fine Art Dealers’ Association with support from Heart of the City, will receive $40,000 from the council.

The Grey Lynn Park Festival, a well-established annual one-day event that attracts people from all over the city will receive $25,000.

Sponsorship applications for events that bring significant economic, social and cultural benefits to Auckland city are received by the council three times a year. Requests are considered against a set of criteria which analyse the benefits the event can offer the city. Find out more on www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/planning/sponsorship

ENDS