Auckland Council’s Community Development and Safety Committee approved $408,000 in funding for regional events at its meeting on 16 August.
Councillor Cathy Casey, chair of the committee, says that the regional events fund seeks to bring people together to share memorable and fun experiences and help build a sense of community.
“The regional events fund celebrates Auckland and its people while acknowledging our diversity. By funding these experiences, the council is helping to develop a stronger sense of identity, pride and spirit in our wonderful city. It’s lots of fun for people too!”
The events funded by the committee range from smaller events including ‘Elvis in the Gardens’ through to large events attended by thousands of Aucklanders like the Farmers Santa Parade, the Auckland Pride Festival and Parade and Coco-Cola Christmas in the Park.
Councillor Efeso Collins, deputy chair of the committee, says that events that have received funding like ASB Polyfest, New Zealand Taiwan Day, Korean Day and the Te Ahurea Tino Rangatiratanga Secondary Schools Kapa Haka competition improve cross-cultural awareness and understanding.
“Our multi-cultural city is reflected in the diversity of events that have received funding. It is wonderful to see such a wide range of cultures, ethnicities and different recreational events profiled in this funding round,” says Councillor Collins.
One event receiving council funding for the first time is the Te Ara i Whiti / Lightpath Festival to be held on 1 December 2018.
The annual Te Ara i Whiti / Lightpath Festival is a celebration that invites people to experience the lights of Auckland’s iconic and beloved ‘pink path’ from day into night. Described as a ‘street party in the sky’, the festival offers fun and healthy activities and encourages Aucklanders to use more active transport, all while bringing to life the ever-changing map of our city centre.
Calendar of regional events
Circle the date on your calendar so you don’t miss any of these exciting upcoming events! (Please note that proposed event dates are subject to change).
|
Event |
Location |
Date |
|
2018 Aotearoa Māori Sports Awards |
Vodafone Events Centre |
24 November 2018 |
|
2019 Korean Day |
North Shore Events Centre |
30 March 2019 |
|
2019 Sir Graeme Douglas International Track Challenge |
Douglas Track and Field (The Trusts Arena) Henderson |
21 March 2019 |
|
ASB Polyfest |
Manukau Sports Bowl |
13 -16 March 2019 |
|
Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta |
Waitematā and Viaduct Harbours and the Hauraki Gulf |
26 -28 January 2019 |
|
Auckland Highland Games & Gathering |
Ellerslie Event Centre Ellerslie Racecourse, Remuera |
17 November 2018 |
|
Auckland International Buskers Festival |
city centre and waterfront |
25-28 January 2019 |
|
Auckland Pride Festival and Parade 2019 |
Auckland-wide |
1 -17 February 2019 |
|
Bike the Bridge |
Smales Farm, Takapuna |
17 February 2019 |
|
Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park (year three of three-year agreement) |
Auckland Domain |
8 December 2018 |
|
Collier Trophy (U13 Hockey National Championships) |
North Harbour Hockey Stadium |
7-13 October 2018 |
|
Elvis in the Gardens |
Auckland Botanic Gardens |
3 March 2019 |
|
Ending HIV Big Gay Out (BGO) |
Coyle Park, Pt Chevalier |
10 February 2019 |
|
Japan Day 2019 |
The Cloud and Shed 10 Queens Wharf, city centre |
3 March 2019 |
|
Te Ara I Whiti / Lightpath Festival |
Te Ara I Whiti / Lightpath city centre |
1 December 2018 |
|
Mahurangi Regatta |
Sullivans Bay, Mahurangi Harbour Scotts Landing |
26 January 2019 |
|
New Zealand Communities Football Cup (NZCFC) |
Māngere Centre Park |
23-25 November 2018 |
|
New Zealand Taiwan Day 2018 |
Aotea Square, city centre |
27-28 October 2018 |
|
Omaha Classic |
Omaha Beach and Omaha Estuary |
15 December 2018 |
|
Puhinui International Horse Trials |
Puhinui Reserve Prices Road, Manukau |
7-9 December 2018 |
|
Show Jumping Waitemata World Cup Final |
Woodhill Sands, Waimauku |
11-13 January 2019 |
|
Te Ahurea Tino Rangatiratanga Secondary Schools Kapa Haka competition |
James Cook High School Manurewa |
26-27 October 2018 |
|
The Farmers Santa Parade |
city centre |
25 November 2018 |
|
The New Zealand Ukulele Festival |
The Trusts Arena, Henderson |
17 November 2018 |
|
Waiuku Blast to the Past 2018 |
Waiuku Rugby Park |
10 November 2018 |
|
Walk the Line |
ANZ Viaduct Event Centre city centre |
1 September 2019 |
Visit the council’s website for more information on regional events that received funding this round.
Next funding round for regional events
The next round of applications for the regional events fund opens on 1 November 2018. In this round, additional priority will be given to events with a focus on Māori, youth, Pasifika and diverse communities along with ‘low season’ (May-September) events. To be eligible for this funding, events must occur between 1 March 2019 and 31 July 2020.
Funding decisions will be made by the Community Development and Safety Committee on 21 February 2019.
