More heat on Vodafone bash

By SCOTT INGLIS

First it was topless Thai strippers, now it's accusations of ill-treating animals and breaking bylaws.

Vodafone's Christmas party, held in Auckland last Friday night, has run into new trouble - this time with animal welfare activists and the Auckland City Council.

Save Animals From Exploitation (Safe) has attacked the party's organisers for having an elephant and a monkey at the function, saying it was cruel and dangerous to make the animals endure loud music and 1400 guests. It had received three complaints.

The Auckland City Council also said the organisers and owner of the animals did not have a permit to have the elephant on public property, as required under city bylaws covering exotic animals.

The party, at St James Theatre, outraged some staff because topless Thai strippers wearing g-strings cavorted with Vodafone workers in a steamy routine.

A complaint has been made to the Human Rights Commission, which will today begin an investigation. Four complaints were also made to the Herald.

The theme for the night was "One Night in Bangkok." The monkey, an eight-year-old called Laurie, was inside the theatre with partygoers, and Jumbo, a 25-year-old elephant, was at the Lorne St entrance, on the pavement or in a trailer parked on the roadside.

Safe campaign director Gary Reese told the Herald two complaints had been received over the elephant and another about the monkey.

The Herald received similar calls on the night.

Mr Reese said it was inappropriate to have an elephant in the city at night around drinking partygoers.

"It's just a very uncontrolled situation. And you can't control an elephant if something happens."

City council events facilitation manager Tara Pradhan said permission was needed to have exotic animals on public property - and it would not normally be granted.

The organisers, Madant Promotions, had twice unsuccessfully applied to block off Queen St and Lorne St for the elephant.

A permit was obtained to park a truck outside St James Theatre in Lorne St, but the council parking division did not know the truck would have an elephant inside.

"I think if they'd mentioned that, then perhaps a different approach might have been taken. I've spoken to the organisers and made them understand the processes and told them we expect them to comply in the future."

Madant spokesman Tony Piggott said it was up to the owner of the animals, Tony Ratcliffe of Whirling Brothers Circus, to organise the permit.

Mr Ratcliffe told the Herald he was furious at Safe. "We care about our animals, mate," he said.

Jumbo enjoyed herself and was never distressed, he said. "I absolutely love her beyond anything else on this planet ... and there's no way I would ill-treat her.

"The monkey's beautiful - he loved it."

The partygoers and the public were never in any danger, he said.

He believed he had followed the rules. When asked about council approval, he replied: "Hey, I don't approve of the city council holding elephants [in the zoo] the way they do, but I don't stop them."

Vodafone refused to be interviewed about the party yesterday, but in a written statement said it regretted any offence caused by any of the entertainment.