Tauranga City Council is keeping quiet about how much money the Jazz Festival organisers are seeking for next year's 50th National Jazz Festival in Tauranga.
Mount Maunganui resident Rob Paterson claims the Jazz Festival Society committee is seeking $120,000 from the Tauranga City Council after making a loss this year of about $100,000.
A scene from the fairly damp downtown carnival at the 2011 National Jazz Festival.
The request is believed to have been made during the confidential section of the council's events management sub committee meeting on July 5.
Committee chairman Larry Baldock would not comment today.
'I think it is still in confidential,” says Larry.
'I will be happy to talk about it if it has been released – the decisions are normally released once the applicants have been informed, but this one's a little bit different because it's not quite as clear cut as that.”
The National Jazz Festival normally receives $25,000-35-000 each year from the Tauranga City Council, says Larry.
That funding was agreed to for 2012, says Larry.
'That was agreed to, but I think the rest should wait another couple of days before we release anything.”
National Jazz Festival director Arne Herrmann also refused to comment on the amount being sought, but he says the Jazz Festival Society is planning a special event in 2012.
'We are one of the oldest jazz festivals in the world and not a lot of people in New Zealand know that, that an iconic event is reaching an iconic milestone,” says Arne.
'We are proposing a large celebration and with a large celebration comes a larger budget – that requires us to do a lot more fundraising all round.
'It is nothing to do with the previous festival – it is looking ahead at a celebratory 50th festival.”
In his letter to The Weekend Sun editor Brian Rogers, Rob comments:
‘It is concerning that the Jazz Festival Society committee, after making it clear this year's losses caused by the weather and poor attendances would not fall on TCC ratepayers as any shortfall would be met from retained profits. Then without telling anyone what the substantial losses are, the committee promptly applies to council for a dollop of money and got a bail-out for $120,000 from our cash-strapped council. So much for standing on your own two feet. Support was originally supposed to be a hand up, not a continuous annual hand-out!'
29 comments
This is bullsh*t
Posted on 22-07-2011 12:08 | By Tony
They said they didnt need any ratepayer money. This orginaizer roster seems to think this is his festival and we should fund it for his ego as well as his wages all year round ....and he / it takes a bath wake up Tauranga This isnt New York and we arnt floating in money to pay for people follies , Let it go back to the Pub and reastaurants and it will fly , We dont need "Something Special"that the TCC cant afford The "committee" wont take advise as they are great ar running this type of event
Bloody Marvelous
Posted on 22-07-2011 12:22 | By DRich
And so it all (so predictably) begins...snouts in the trough
Keep it Simple
Posted on 22-07-2011 12:47 | By Colleen Spiro
Hmmm.... change the format back to the old way, where every pub/eatery in town had music. NOT JUST THE STRAND area. And keep it simple....Truckloads of talent in NZ and specifically in Tauranga. It is the TAURANGA Jazz Festival after all.
You're kidding!!
Posted on 22-07-2011 13:12 | By jangar05
Another unwanted ratepayer subsidy. Enough is enough, we don't ALL have bottomless pockets!! Why doesn't the Jazz Festival go back to how they used to be run in the 70's, would save lots of expenditure.
Deceitful & Underhand, SHAME on you!!
Posted on 22-07-2011 20:11 | By Nigel Barker
Absolutely disgusting behavior from the elected representatives. Mr Baldock have you ever heard of Courage? Integrity? Openness? Loyalty? Sincerity? Genuineness? I am starting to wonder if any of TCC know about these words. Shame on you folk. Yet another good reason for -Citizens Monitoring Council-
Not Surprised
Posted on 22-07-2011 20:17 | By Jitter
The jazz festival has been going backwards since Arne Herrmann took over. He seems to think that signing up more and more expensive overseas performers each year will make it a bigger and better festival. He obviously chooses people he considers great but should listen for a change to what the people on the ground like and want for a change. Unfortunately the cost of tickets to these overseas artists is way out of reach of many people. A couple of them this year were not even up to scratch or what the mainstream jazz fans want. As previous commentators have said, get back to the previous format by using artists from around NZ, and we do have many excellent artists, with perhaps one major artist or group from overseas as the lead performance. As for the strong rumour that TCC is propping up the 2012 jazz festival, with $120,000 of ratepayers money, if correct Arne Herrmann and his committee should resign as he has already stated that accumulated funds would be used and no ratepayer money required. TCC should also have a good hard look at themselves splashing out when they are so deep in debt even though 2012 is a special year for the festival. The pouring of ratepayers money down the drain just goes on and on.
Every one's an expert
Posted on 23-07-2011 09:23 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Always someone that (thinks) they can do it better. 35,000 and YOU Jitter hav'nt got a clue.
I agree - Keep it simple
Posted on 23-07-2011 10:19 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Why can 't we go back to a band in every bar and cafe? Was a GREAT atmosphere and crowds came out to enjoy it.
Making plans for Nigel and the Monitors
Posted on 23-07-2011 11:17 | By Inconvenient Truth
Look forward to finding out if Rob Paterson is right. Not sure how he knows. Meantime Citizens Monitoring Council's Nigel launches into what I think is a rave questioning Cr Baldock about courage, loyalty, sincerity etc etc. I think Cr Baldock has many good qualities. As for Nigel's statements, it must be great to be perfect and free of any questionable traits such as jumping to conclusions, insinuation and being careful not to make categorical statements in case you're wrong. Hopefully Nigel will run in the democratic elections that chooses the actual council. Meantime Nigel and Rob could prove their abilities and get onto the Jazz Festival organising committee and show us all how it's done. Not that Monitors (Citizens Monitoring Council) are necessarily bad. I remember them from my school days. Milk monitors, desk monitors, running in the playground monitors etc. They probably went on to become wardens or inspectors. Reluctantly -One Citizen Monitoring Some Citizens Monitoring Council-
MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL ... OR TURKEYS?
Posted on 23-07-2011 11:42 | By WOFTAM
Looks to me that the Committee are going for a double whammy, $120,000 to cover the losses from this year, then they will have there hand out for more becasue next year is "special".
Not confidential, embarrassing!
Posted on 23-07-2011 11:56 | By Murray.Guy
The Jazz Festival has unquestionably added immensely to our cities events calendar over many years. The Jazz Festival team cannot be blamed or chastised for putting their hand out if it is likely they will be filled. Unfortunately the Jazz Festival's contribution has closed / clouded the minds of some elected members to the rules attached to dispensing those scarce ratepayer dollars. It is acknowledged that the rules relevant to event support funding are long overdue for reappraisal by the community, but until this takes place, it is grossly inappropriate to selectively disregard them. The policy (rules) are clear and unambiguous (see: http://econtent.tauranga.govt.nz/data/documents/policies/events_support_fund.pdf) for the most part and the Jazz Festival's application fell a long way short of compliance. Staff confirmed to me once applicants haver been advised of the decisions made, the information is made public. Confidential, NO! Embarrassing, YES!
Speaking of elected officals
Posted on 23-07-2011 12:27 | By Tony
What the hell have all the NEW voices / visononaries from the loud mouth vote for me "Im for change, Im for accountability, Ill show you everything we do " All just reteric from the new people on TCC ...or are they now just lap dogs to the old boys club? Come on you newbies get off your collective bums and get us some answers .....Or option 2 Start looking for new jobs .Elections come back around quickly eh
Turn Back The Page
Posted on 23-07-2011 13:44 | By Dee
How is it that we can all see where the organizers were wanting to go with the Jazz Festival. Surely the Penny has bloody dropped now, and that the Festival should go back to the Bars, back to happy people flooding into Tauranga for awesome FREE music. Lets face it, ask any Bar owner if they want it back like it used to be. Was their biggest money making weekend of the year. People are happy to pay for a concert or two and spend the rest of the time flowing from one Bar to another still spending their money on food and drinks and having an Absolute Ball. It so worked before so why did the powers that be change it. Focus on what all of us want and not your pockets. Do your selves a favor. Open your eyes. It' that simple.
SLITHERED INTO THE FOLD QUICK FIRE
Posted on 23-07-2011 14:36 | By YOGI
The newbees will not come up with an answer I am sure of that one, they are silent now, in the fold and in the process of the usual "newbee" brain washing process before being allowed to vote, think, decide anything about anything.
Reply to Helen
Posted on 23-07-2011 16:19 | By Jitter
Sorry Helen I don't have a clue what you are on about. What 35000 ? Why don't I have a clue ? I am only stating what most of the other commentators are saying and what I have seen happening ie the Jazz Festival going backwards and some concerts not up to scratch and costing too much. If you had read the comments in Sunlive immediately after this years festival you would have seen numerous similar and angry comments. The negative comments outweighed the positive comments tenfold. Go back to the old format and stop wasting money on expensive overseas performers. If the Jazz Festival Committee have still not got the message then they never will. Helen you are obviously in favour of the way the festival is now run and don't as a result mind money being wasted. I look forward to your response.
@ Inconvenient Truth
Posted on 23-07-2011 19:29 | By Nigel Barker
Wow great response - from an insider? Thanks for your interest. Not at any time to I suggest I am perfect. (You know full well I am far from perfect) However I do question what I consider underhand & inappropriate methods in spending "The ratepayers" money. Specially in areas that are in direct competition with private enterprise and business's. If this was a viable business why do private enterprise not take it on? And if thats not bad enough they (TCC & TCAL) will not answer questions about "The Financial" plan. Will you answer questions put to you? I wonder why it is that there are so many 50% massages available around the town? As for the Jazz festival - read the comments here on Sun Live about how it could be done differently,ideas that have worked in the past .. Cool aye! Maybe you are happy with the way your rates are spent - GREAT! Many are not tho. I will continue to challenge under my name. I will not 'spout'n'run'. Like my mummy use to tell me ... K.I.S.S.'n'Honest cos you can run but you can't hide. Again thanks for your interest, good open & honest discussion is appreciated -Citizens Monitoring Council-
WHERE IT STARTED
Posted on 23-07-2011 22:32 | By Vomit
Half the problem is that the committee that is attempting to run it are "thinking" they know how to do things better than the last 48+ years and want to change it, a good saying is "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Then of course you have all the goody goods who think that the jazz feastival is wonderful but don't realise that the atmosphere, music and employment for the masses was the style of preseentation from before, bands in the bars etc, instead a bunch of NERDY's think that spending heaps of money from ratepayers every year is "better". Like everything that TCC get involved in directly or indirectly goes pear shaped sooner than you would want to think ... add to all that is the MASSIVE restrictions now IMPOSED on those that were trying to enjoy themselves and in end result you are left with a bunch of arty-air-heads and bills for the ratepayers.
.
Posted on 24-07-2011 13:54 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
35,000 people, "Negative outweighed the positive tenfold" blah blah blah Rubbish.
IF the snout is in the snout is in the Public trough then account for the money
Posted on 24-07-2011 14:59 | By EYESPY
What many people do not realise is that not only does the Jazz Festival get substantial funding from TCC Ratepayers it also gets substantial TECT community funding under the Community Events category, in 2009 that was $100000 in 2010- $70000 in 2011- $70000 and probably the same for 2012.I am sure TECT Consumers would rather see the money spent on other more deserving and worthwhile projects.In addition the Jazz Festival in 2011 received $15000 from Lion Foundation $10000 from Bay Trust and possibly more from other sources.All this and it seems no annual profit and loss accounts are produced for public scrutiny.How is all this money spent and applied ?
T.E.C.T card holders.
Posted on 24-07-2011 15:52 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
I am a T.E.C.T card holder and get in at the village for two days FREE. (with all of my family) So does every other T.E.C.T card holder if they want. I wouln't call that nothing and it is appreciated.
How can
Posted on 24-07-2011 20:23 | By Capt_Kaveman
public $ be confidential
Free Entry
Posted on 25-07-2011 08:57 | By Jitter
I agree entry is free to the Historic Village with a TECT card as I have used mine every year and thoroughly enjoyed the groups and the atmosphere. However this year it was not the same. Fewer groups playing, far less people attending and definitely not the same atmosphere. Helen should have read all the comments in Sunlive immediately after the Jazz Festival and she would have seen that most of them were negative and angry. Just like most of the current comments are negative. There were a number of factors which affected the festival this year. The weather (probably did not have too much effect). Clash with jazz festival on Waiheke Island which meant that many Aucklanders did not come down to Tauranga (organising committee should have come to an arrangement with Waiheke to reschedule their festival as Tauranga is traditionally Easter). High price of some concert tickets. Content of festival was not what majority of fans want. Some overseas performers were "unknowns" to the majority and were not up to standard. Included this year was Country and Western and Rock and Roll groups. This is not jazz. Either it is a jazz festival or it isn't. Organising committee stick to the basics. Helen says that 35,000 people attended . Yeah right ! I doubt it as numbers were very, very much down on previous years even from my observations on Sat and Sun. I hope the organsising Committee take note of all the comments in Sunlive so that 2012 is as successful as they hope it will be.
Jitter
Posted on 25-07-2011 10:06 | By DRich
Two points: one, most of the couple dozen post-jazzfest comments were indeed negative and angry, as are most posts on Sunlive, so I wouldn't read too much, statistically into that; as i recall, waiheke was a spin-off, many years ago, from this one and has been in direct competition ever since - i actually thought we'd killed it off a couple of years back through 'market forces' of Tauranga being more popular, but there you go.
True Picture of TCC Grant
Posted on 25-07-2011 16:57 | By Jitter
Larry Baldock has come clean over the festival funding by TCC. Sounds as though there is a bit of skulduggery going on though from what Murray Guy has said over the approval of this amount. $30,000 grant and $90,000 loan to be paid back if the festival makes a profit. If it doesn't make a profit the organisers don't have to pay the $90,000 back ! I wish I could get a loan like that. In reply to D Rich, I move in a number of different circles in and around Tauranga and the general feeling throughout was that the standard of the Jazz Festival has gone backwards in recent years and this year the standard was pretty poor overall. So I WOULD read a lot "statistically" into the comments on Sunlive. The $90,000 give away by ratepayers will be the final straw for many people. Re the Waiheke Jazz Festival. If it continues to be held at Easter, if I were a jazz fan living in Auckland, I would much prefer to attend the event close to home especially as the cost of travel is so high these days.
@Nigel
Posted on 26-07-2011 12:08 | By Inconvenient Truth
Thanks for your reasonable reply seeking good open and honest discussion. I'm no total council fan, but I'm not a total critic either. Seems that reason and thinking things through often goes out the window in these columns. Simply slurring peoples character and using derogatory words and innuendo is not the way to go. Before every election we read about how the people are going to oust all the "bad" councillors and replace them with "good" ones. Then no sooner has the election been held we read the same thing over again. I accept the democratic will of the people at election time, no matter who is elected. Society is composed of many different peoples and council will reflect that. Half of us are below average and half are above average in the intelligence department. You only need to read the comments of some councillors or reports about what they've said or how they've acted to see this is reflected in council too. It's called democracy.
10 Festival Facts
Posted on 26-07-2011 16:49 | By jazz
1.The festival nearly collapsed in 2007, limped through 2008 and was on the verge of closing down due to lack of funding and sponsorship. 2.The 2009 festival doubled attendance numbers from 30,000 to 60,000 people. 3.Business on The Strand saw their best day takings ever. Even in 2011 day takings are substantially above normal. 4. The amount of people attending the Downtown Carnival has grown to an extend that they could not be accommodated in bars and restaurants anymore, even if one wanted. 5. 98% of all musicians performing are New Zealand based, fantastically talented artists. 6. Concerts with international guest artists are profitable and help subsidise the loss making Downtown Carnival and prop up the Historic Village. 7. Ticket prices start at $15 for a daypass at the Village (for non-Tect card holders), $35-$55 for most concerts, international stars $89. To see the same artist in Auckland would be a much more expensive exercise. 8.The economic benefit of the Festival for the region was researched in 2005 as being $5Million. It is now estimated to be between $6 - $8 Million. Events are proven generators of wealth in the community (financially and socially), council funding regarded an investment (example New Plymouth funds their arts festival with $180,000 per festival, Wellington with 1.4 Million, Auckland with 1.8 Million) 9.2012 is the 50th anniversary of the Festival, one of the oldest jazz festival in the world. This is an achievement that the community can be proud of. The Society is planning for an appropriate anniversary programme to mark this significant milestone. Attendance numbers are estimated to increase further and with that the economic benefit for the region. 10. We love what we do and endeavour to always achieve the best outcome for as many people as possible.
Festival fact 11
Posted on 26-07-2011 20:34 | By jazz
11. In the previous 3 festivals, the Festival paid the council $60,000 per festival in form of venue hire and technical services (twice the amount received in funding). For the 2012 this figure will increase again.
JAZZ??
Posted on 01-08-2011 10:54 | By Becks
Im sorry Jazz but where are you getting your bar/restaurant figues from because I am sure if you actually go and ask these businesses I am pretty sure you will be proven wrong! 2011 figures along with the 2 years prior since the festival being moved has been extremely low comparing to when the festival was on the Strand on not spread out encouraging customers out of the CBD where businesses pay rates etc!
at jitter and Kaye Hurn
Posted on 01-08-2011 11:02 | By Becks
I'm with you both!!!!! Keep it simple!!!! None of these expensive overseas acts, no more encouring the public to drive out to other out of the CBD venues!!! Should be a simple easy decision!
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