Editorial: Challenge to keep Games vibrant

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle

Re-invention is the name of the game.

Events and organisations are continually having to re-invent themselves. Pop stars like David Bowie did it and, this being an election year, our political parties are also at it (though they might choose to call it "rejuvenation").

Super Rugby rejigs almost every season to retain its appeal, and the Wellington Sevens (union) and Auckland Nines (league) have undergone the re-invention process.

Here in Whanganui we have just had the 10-day New Zealand Masters Games, a wonderful event that provides fun, camaraderie and a big visitor influx to the city.

But the number taking part has been dwindling for more than a decade, and the spectre of re-invention is never far away.

Many events have a natural lifespan (some suggest the Wellington Sevens has done its dash), and it may be that the Masters Games has passed its natural peak.

The issue then is how to keep it a vibrant, prestigious event with fewer participants.

This year the Whanganu Events Trust took over the running of the Games and, inevitably, decided to try a few new things - moving the Games village to the War Memorial Centre; an opening ceremony march by competitors; upping the ante on the live music entertainment. There were hits and misses.

The Games are a big deal for Whanganui with more than 3000 people coming from outside the district, giving a welcome economic boost.

It proved harder to get locals enthused, and some of our sports organisations were perhaps over-stretched trying to run Games events while keeping their own competitions ticking over.

Switching the Games village from Springvale Park to the centre of town was probably the most contentious move. Putting that focus centrally where Whanganui folk could stroll along made sense, but it did not seem to capture the public's imagination.

There will no doubt be a long hard look at all aspects before the Games return in 2019.

The Chronicle is running a poll on the future of the Games on our website - wanganuichronicle.co.nz - and you may wish to chip in your twopenn'orth.