Rained-off music lovers at zoo won't get money back

Liam Finn. Photo / Richard Robinson

Music lovers who attended Auckland Zoo's Friday concert showcasing Liam Finn and the Phoenix Foundation will not have tickets refunded even though torrential rain halted the gig.

About 1500 people braved the rain until 7.45pm when the concert was called off for safety reasons.

Liam Finn had finished his set but the Phoenix Foundation had not started. Adult tickets had cost $40 each.

"After discussions with the sound technicians, we identified that there was an increasing risk of injury to the performers from the rain and the electrical equipment," an Auckland Zoo spokesperson said.

Auckland Zoo will not refund tickets but will allow ticket holders a "free visit" to the zoo before March 31 - a visit they were allowed on the night of the event.

Concert-goer Rachel Goodchild said it was hard to hear the Thomas Oliver band and Liam Finn because "the weather was so bad".

"They did supply us with umbrellas. We were saturated, my phone is ruined. We chose to stay and still had a good night," she said.

"It's a really awkward situation when fundraising. Do you give the funds back or not? I don't know what the answer is."

Gail South, who paid $120 for a family pass to attend the concert with her two children and husband, stayed until the performance was called off.

"It was a shame [it was cancelled] but we can come back to the zoo."

Auckland Zoo said bands did charge for performances but most agreed to reduce their fees to assist fundraising efforts.

Any profits from the sale of tickets, after event costs have been taken out, as well as any sponsorship received for the music series goes to the zoo.

Auckland Zoo said so far it had raised $15,000 to help with conservation work at the zoo and in the wild, at home and abroad.