ARC shy of playing Santa to arts

Auckland Regional Council members are wary of playing Father Christmas to struggling regional organisations after learning that it could mean a 5 per cent rates rise.

ARC focuses on cultural heritage and parks rather than funding arts and cultural events and organisations.

But it is coming under pressure to broaden its role in its statutory obligation to promote cultural wellbeing.

Council policy adviser Alan Johnson said Auckland City Council paid the lion's share of regional artistic practices, such as the Auckland Philharmonia and Auckland Theatre Company.

"There seems now to be an upper limit to that council's willingness to fund even higher budgets," he said.

Some of the region's cultural infrastructure was at risk of collapsing due to financial difficulties.

One option was for the ARC to start funding regional arts and cultural organisations on an ongoing basis. The other was for it and the region's seven territorial councils to agree to a new funding arrangement where all would contribute on a fairer, more comprehensive and more certain basis.

Mr Johnson said it was hard to estimate the exact costs of the ARC bankrolling organisations.

The Auckland Philharmonia had indicated a budget shortfall of $1 million a year.

The Maritime Museum, Eden Park Trust Board and Auckland Theatre Company could lay claim to regional status and expect funding.

In addition, other organisations such as Surf Life Saving (Northern Region), Watersafe Auckland and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust had similar funding problems which also deserved regional priority.

"Given these potentials it seems realistic to expect additional budgets of at least $5 million a year will be required to adequately finance an ARC regional funding role."

To the ARC, each million dollars of spending equates to a 1 per cent rate rise. Its last rate rise averaged 4.8 per cent. Chairman Mike Lee said the council should be cautious.

"We all remember the 2003 rates revolt and, while it would be wonderful to generate funding to an endless chain of cultural activities, the money we are being generous with belongs to the ratepayers."

Councillors declined to lead a regional discussion on options for sustainable funding and instead called for a further report on the costs of helping organisations, such as Surf Life Saving, which supported the ARC's job by patrolling regional parks' beaches.

Independently of the ARC, Auckland City Council is considering a move to introduce regional funding.

Leigh Redshaw, council's senior business partnership manager, said cost cutting was not the aim.

"It's about putting organisations on a sustainable basis - because they are going hand to mouth - and recognising they are providing services for the entire region so costs should be borne fairly across the region."

All councils had to pay the core costs of the Museum of Transport and Technology and that model could point the way to the future.


Council spending

* Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust: 800 patients a year, Franklin District Council, $2000, others nil.
* Watersafe Auckland: Auckland Regional Council, $80,000; Auckland City Council, $50,000; Waitakere City Council, $20,000; Manukau City Council, $10,000; North Shore City Council, nil; Papakura District Council, $5000; Rodney District Council, nil.
* Auckland War Memorial Museum: 475,000 visitors a year, councils contribute based on formula of area's capital value and population: Auckland $7.08 million, North Shore $2.83 million, Manukau $1.1 million, Waitakere $1.56 million, Papakura $454,000, Franklin $491,000, Rodney $806,000.
* NZ National Maritime Museum: 106,500 visitors, Auckland $668,000, Waitakere nil, Franklin nil, Manukau $5000, Rodney $5000, North Shore $10,000, Papakura $1800.
* Stardome Observatory: 54,000 visitors a year, Auckland $195,000, Manukau $15,000, North Shore $6000, Rodney $1500, Papakura $1000, Waitakere $950.
* Auckland Philharmonia: Auckland $550,000, Waitakere $30,000, North Shore $30,000, Manukau $30,000, Rodney $5000, Papakura $4000, Franklin $1000.
* Auckland Theatre Company: 75,000 see performances a year, Auckland $85,000.
* NBR NZ Opera: National, but 16,500 saw its three Auckland operas this year, Auckland $75,000, Manukau $40,000.
* Auckland Festival: 266,000 participate, ACC $1.45 million.
* Surf Life Saving (Northern Region): 740 rescues a year in Auckland Region, Auckland $84,000, Waitakere $45,000, Rodney $40,000, North Shore $30,000, Manukau $30,000, Franklin $11,700, Papakura $10,225.
* Auckland Botanic Gardens: 700,000 visitors a year, Auckland Regional Council $3 million.
* Mt Smart Stadium: 250,000 visitors a year, ARC $539,000.