Steven Hargreaves: Polyfest Trust Chair on Government not delivering enough in promised funding boost

One of New Zealand’s largest performing arts events has been forced to scale back.  Polyfest organisers say they were promised a boost in funding from Pacific Peoples Minister Shane Reti, and given assurances the money would come through from Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.  When the time came, the boost was just $5000 – which Polyfest Trust Chair Steven Hargreaves tells Tim Beveridge is not an influential amount for an event that costs $2 million to put on.  “It’s an investment in the youth. The Government have talked a lot this year about school attendance, school engagement, achievement, literacy and numeracy. Polyfest can deliver on all of those fronts.”  Last year’s event drew 80,000 visitors with 8000 students performing. This year’s event will see a stage dropped to scale back on cost.  The Ministry says "The Ministry remains committed to supporting Polyfest alongside other government agencies and encourages other sponsors to get behind this important event for the Pacific community in Auckland." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.