Council fireworks budget $30,000

Auckland Council says $30,000 of ratepayer's money will go into its waterfront fireworks to mark Auckland's Anniversary Weekend. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Auckland Council says $30,000 of ratepayer's money will go into its waterfront fireworks display on Sunday night to mark Auckland's Anniversary Weekend.

But major events manager Rachael Dacy said yesterday that about $80,000 of fireworks would be used for the display.

The $50,000 difference is coming from its community events sponsors, the Radio Network, Tip Top and The Coffee Guy.

A previous figure of $25,000 published in the Herald was an estimate that it obtained from fireworks industry sources - in the absence of an official figure.

Ms Dacy said last year's display cost the council $35,000, though thanks to sponsors, the actual value was $50,000.

The total ratepayer contribution to this year's anniversary celebrations was $160,000 compared with $170,000 last year.

In 2006, ratepayers contributed $300,000 though the standard of event was similar.

This was largely due to bringing in existing events run by third parties, for example, the Auckland Seafood Festival and St Jerome's Laneway Festival in Aotea Square.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development, a council-controlled organisation, said fireworks were part of the weekend celebration for many years and showed up in surveys as the most popular and frequently mentioned event.

This year's 12-minute display will be launched from barges on the waterfront.

Enhancing anniversary weekend celebrations is named in Mayor Len Brown's 100 Projects list.

But Clendon resident Frank Galvin was unimpressed when told the official ratepayers' contribution.

"I'm shocked because I was annoyed about the fireworks when I thought it was $25,000," he said.

"I complained to the council and they didn't tell me that.

"There are so many other things that money could be better spent on - helping flood victims, Glendowie School's arson, or poor libraries."

Other major events for anniversary weekend include: Auckland International Buskers' Festival, Royal New Zealand Navy ship open days, boat tours of the Ports of Auckland facilities and activities at the Voyager NZ Maritime Museum.