Rotorua Councillors Left With Mud On Face
Rotorua's Mud Festival had combined ticket sales of $117,000, barely covering 8% of the $1.48 million that the event
cost to put on, according to preliminary financial figures provided to the Rotorua Lake District Council yesterday.
"The Council sold only 1,500 tickets, and gave away 10,000," points out Jordan Williams, a Spokesperson for the Taxpayers' Union. "The event was basically a 'rent-a-crowd', paid for by government grants and ratepayer money."
"We are stunned that some Councillors consider this event successful on the basis that people 'had fun'. The combined
ratepayer and taxpayer subsidies were $55 per Rotorua household."
"Perhaps the Councillors who think the event offered good value for money should go ask pensioners on fixed incomes
whether they think the mud was a good use of their $55."
"Rotorua has one of the most irresponsible councils in New Zealand. A three-ring circus would have been a lot cheaper
than this mud festival - and probably better organised."
In July the Taxpayers' Union presented the Mayor, Steve Chadwick, and Rotorua Lakes District Council a 'Supreme Certificate of Achievement and Imagination' in relation to their decision to import $90,000 of mud from South Korea.
A video of the special award ceremony is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH1uhNFUkTE=6s.
ENDS