​Waiheke Jazz Festival gets funding green light

The Waiheke Jazz Festival was approved for a funding grant from Auckland Council with staff saying the events sector is looking up.

The $8,000 grant is one of 22 in the first round of the regional event funding grant allocation for council's financial year.

At the Park, Arts, Community and Events committee on August 11, events manager David Burt presented and said while covid had “ravaged” the events sector for the past two years things were looking to improve.

“We spent more time shutting down events than actually trying to make things happen,” Burt said. “Applications are down from previous years… but we are anticipating more events in the next round. 
Prospects for events in the future are good.”

Senior business advisory David McIntosh said with the reduced availability of funding for event planners, council was looking to increase support. “That will also go towards the increased traffic management costs we are facing and health and safety,” McIntosh said.

The Mahurangi Regatta was also approved for a grant of $6,000 in the recent round of funding.