ATEED’s decision to pull funding for the Santa Parade while continuing to give ratepayer money to professional sports events shows just how out of whack the agency’s priorities are, says theAuckland Ratepayers’ Alliance.

Alliance spokesperson Jo Holmes says, “If ATEED is looking to reduce costs, they should focus at the commercial events for an elite few, such as the ASB Classic, and professional gift tournaments they continue to fund with ratepayer funding."

"This decision is so baffling we can only wonder whether they’re deliberately choosing the one event so loved by such a number and range of Aucklanders as a way to try and justify ever more funding."

"The elves are being laid off while professional sports promoters laugh all the way to the bank.”

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