Iconic Santa [was] ‘Retired’
Update: Santa will be back up this year after generous donations
From Mayor Len Brown
Santa is staying. Huge thanks to Mansons TCLM, Sky City and HOTC. Auckland at its best.
More here from Stuff: http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/10654571/Aucklands-Santa-saved-from-retirement?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
——————————————————
When I saw this Tweet from Bevan last night I thought it was a joke:
The email is accessible by clicking the links inside the Tweet.
But alas this is no joke. Heart of the City has “retired” the iconic Santa this year due to “funding” issues amongst other things.
From Radio New Zealand
Santa victim of Auckland cost cutting
Updated 43 minutes ago
Heart of the City says it can not afford the $180,000 costing of putting up Santa and his reindeer on the Queen Street’s Whitcoulls building.
The giant Santa first went up on the Farmers Hobson Street department store in 1960, and after a brief stint in Manukau City, has been an annual fixture in Queen Street.
Listen to more on Morning Report ( 4 min 10 sec )
Chair of the ratepayer-funded agency, Terry Gould, said its five year relationship with Santa has to end.
“Funding from other sources has progressively been withdrawn, leading to much discussion around the boardroom table about spending priorities,” he said.
……
Source and Full Article: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/257567/santa-victim-of-auckland-cost-cutting
The audio can be heard here:
It was speculated last night on how much wider is the financial problems with Heart of the City after they sacked former CEO Alex Swney for tax evasion charges. The timing just does not seem right over the Santa sacking or retirement mess.
However, if Santa is to be retired I do like this suggestion:
@AklCouncil can we have a giant Xmas tree with white lights in Aotea Square? Also one in Manukau and every other metropolitan centre. Ta!
Hope yet folks for a brighter 2014 Christmas
Talking Southern Auckland 