I’ve been interested in the arts – literature, theatre, music, painting, sculpture, pottery and so on for most of my life and even circus acts seem to me to be extra special when I visit Auckland. Like life, an artist needs food, drink, warmth and a physical and spiritual place to develop their art. It may take a long time. No need for the cold attic, poverty, TB and an early death in NZ. We are not that poor, as I noticed our Dickensian hard times government is being particularly generous with a $70 million giveaway. But who gets it?
The NZ government is directly supporting a Robbie Williams concert through a Major Events and Tourism Package, a $70 million initiative to attract big events to New Zealand. Robbie Williams has performed in New Zealand numerous times since 2001. He has a long history of touring New Zealand, rarely skipping the country when he visits Australia. Official records mention 13 to 14 performances with tours:
· 2001: Sing When You’re Pacific Rimming tour. Played to sell-out crowds in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch .
· 2003: Escapology tour. Played a full house at Western Springs .
· 2015: Let Me Entertain You tour. Played Wellington (approx. 10,000 attendees) and Auckland .
· 2023: Mission Concert in Hawke’s Bay. Played to a crowd of nearly 25,000 .
Robbie does okay. He doesn’t need a Kiwi Saver, but he is getting one. A 2001 industry estimate suggested he earns a fee of between $500,000 to $6 million. Big money in my little world. This year’s Christchurch show at the new One New Zealand Stadium is sold out. His previous concerts in NZ did well too.
· 2023 Mission Concert: Approximately 25,000 people .
· 2015 Wellington: Approximately 10,000 people at the Basin Reserve .
· 2001 Tour: Over 70,000 tickets sold across four concerts
Tourism Minister Louise Upston stated the funding was essential and claiming “Without government investment, New Zealand would not have been part of the global tour”. The exact subsidy is “commercially sensitive”!!!!!!!! Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown claims the figure is $3 million, a number not denied by the government .But this same gift horse is attacking Creative New Zealand and reducing its funding by $1.3 million over four years.
The hard times government is also cutting arts, culture, and heritage agency subsidies by $27 million over four years.Agencies funded through Vote Arts, Culture and Heritage cuts include:
· NZ On Air: $13.8 million (includes $5.6m for Radio NZ)
· Te Papa Tongarewa: $3.4 million
· Ministry for Culture & Heritage: $2 million
· Te Matatini: $1.5 million
· NZ Symphony Orchestra: $1.4 million
· Creative New Zealand: $1.3 million
· Heritage NZ: $1.2 million
· Royal NZ Ballet: $568,000
Creative New Zealand will be reducing its workforce by a third, from 84 to 55 roles. PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons called it “cultural vandalism”. Dame Lynda Topp pointed out the sector contributes 4.2% of GDP but receives only 0.1% of government investment. I haven’t spoken with Lynda Topp but I am sure she would tell you that when she was performing with his sister and they were both young, they had many hard times. The cuts ended a long term school Shakespeare programme….. well, I love the WS guy…but it’s not just about him and his metaphors. It’s about encouraging the dramatic arts in young people.
There is more discord in the music industry over the government helping fund two Robbie Williams concerts. Rob Warner, who has been involved in the local music industry for over 30 years, told Radio NZ Checkpoint the government is being taken for a ride by big players.
“It should worry both taxpayers and anyone who likes live events or values music culture. The schemes, as happened in Australia, have taught the biggest promoters they can hold events to ransom and the minister and MBIE apparently don’t recognise they’re being taken for a ride. Or they’re more concerned about looking good in the lead up to this year’s election.”
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