20 December 2006
It’s official: 2006 Arts Festival an all round success
The 2006 New Zealand International Arts Festival was one of the most successful ever, with many shows selling out and
record audience numbers overall. The NZIAF Trust has just released its report on this year’s Festival, which sold over
130,000 tickets and generated a positive economic impact of $33.4 million, most accrued to the Wellington region. In
releasing the report, Festival Chair Fran Wilde described the result as a “boomer”.
“This is an outstanding outcome in all areas, matching the positive impact of the programme and the excitement that was
generated when the Festival was on at the beginning of this year”, she said. “It is a real tribute to the outgoing
Artistic Director, Carla Van Zon, to CEO David Inns and to their staff.
“The results indicate that the Festival in its twentieth year is now anchored in as the pre-eminent cultural event in
New Zealand and one of the world’s leading Festivals. It is also a major tourist attraction and a significant economic
activity for the region. The support the Festival continues to receive from sponsors, other funders and audiences is
impressive and demonstrates that New Zealand businesses and the community are truly committed to supporting world class
delivery”, Fran Wilde said.
“Particularly gratifying for the Trust Board was a trend to a younger age group amongst audiences, with 16% aged between
15 – 24 years and 38% between 25 and 39. This augurs well for the future, indicating that the Festival has continued to
renew its audiences over the two decades of its existence.
“To top it off, this year the Festival also sneaked into the black, with a financial outcome just above break even
($225,000 profit), allowing us to get through the next year in a more secure environment than usual”, Ms Wilde said.
“This financial result – reflecting prudent management and strong box office returns - was achieved under pressure from
increasing international costs and a greater number of events in New Zealand competing for the entertainment dollar”.
Highlights of the 2006 Festival results include: Over 130,000 tickets issued At least 250,000 people attended one of
more of the 24 free events Over a quarter of all audience members were from outside the Wellington region
More than 16,000 students from all round New Zealand attended main bill performances, and a series of workshops and
seminars put on as part of the “School Fest” 84% of New Zealanders and 97% of Wellingtonians know about the Festival
Over 276 full time equivalent positions were generated Over 900 artists from 27 countries took part An economic impact
of $33.4million was recorded
“The Festival Trust, in announcing this result, wants to acknowledge the generous support we receive from our corporate
sponsors, from our core funders Wellington City Council and Creative New Zealand and from community trusts”, Fran Wilde
said.
The next New Zealand International Arts Festival will be staged from 22 February to 16 March 2008 with the programme
created by new Artistic Director Lissa Twomey. As well as presenting a strong international programme, the Festival will
continue its very important role of commissioning New Zealand work that is of international standard.
ENDS