Editorial: Busking competition could jazz up CBD

CBD businesses can veto a busker's application, and buskers now need to be "known" and approved by three businesses. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Parts of Whangarei's CBD need an injection of colour and life. Move beyond the mall area, with its sculpture, hanging baskets, plants and seating, and the atmosphere dissipates fairly quickly. Until, of course, you happen across gems such as the area outside the (new) library, or Laurie Hall Park. Or further south, the Town Basin.

Buskers have the potential to provide some of that colour. Good buskers, that is.

Bad ones can keep people away, rather than entice them.

Fair enough then, that we're fussy about the calibre of our street performers.

There's a view that some of our street performers strumming and humming away in the CBD are not attractive.

They're a wee bit raggle taggle, and their talent is debatable if not dubious.

Bob Dylan's made a living out of raggle taggle.

But if Bob turned up and wanted to busk, under new rules implemented by the Whangarei District Council, technically, he's not allowed.

CBD businesses can veto a busker's application, and buskers now need to be "known" and approved by three businesses.

If a busker hasn't played before, how can they be known?

I empathise with CBD businesses that are wary of buskers driving business away. And I agree some buskers should be paid to go away - not stay.

What about a busking competition in the CBD, that encourages people to come and watch, as well as participate.

They may even spend a bit of money while they're there.

The street is a stage that should be challenging but encouraging, and Whangarei potentially has a big busking stage, if you include the Town Basin, and the new walkways.

The talent pool of buskers is wider than we think, it's just that some talented musicians choose to not swim in the CBD.

Entice them in, offer a busking "gig" on some form of roster basis, keep an open mind on buskers not "known", and if they're bad, be honest but constructive. And firm. Thanks but no. And if Bob Dylan rocks up, let him play.