Lack of funding pulls plug on NZ's largest street party

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The Cuba St Carnival – dubbed "New Zealand's biggest street party" – has been cancelled for next year because Wellington City Council will not commit to funding it, organisers say.

And there are questions about its future viability as well.

Chris Morley-Hall, who has built the street festival from scratch since 1999, says the council is instead spending its money on next year's Rugby World Cup.

Last year's carnival drew a record 150,000 people and was called an "internationally-recognised Mardi Gras" by Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast. Artists and community groups have called the news a "huge loss for Wellington".

But the council says Mr Morley-Hall simply asked for too much money, and spending on the Rugby World Cup has not affected it.

Mr Morley-Hall said the two-yearly carnival cost about $2.4 million to put on. He had closed its offices, and next year's event would definitely not go ahead.

The council had not guaranteed cash for next year's festival or beyond. "They're unable to commit to even a low-level of recurrent funding. And it's just too difficult for us to continue with that not knowing."

Ms Prendergast had previously indicated support for the festival, he said. "She's called it an iconic event for Wellington ... It's a great shame."

The next date for the festival would be 2013, but "who knows who will still be around or what knowledge will be retained to put the next one on?"

Council spending on the Rugby World Cup was trumping other events, he said.

Council spokeswoman Michelle Brooker said Mr Morley-Hall had asked for $500,000 – much more than the $200,000 the council had previously provided.

"We basically said no, we weren't prepared to do that, because we couldn't justify that increase in rates. He hasn't come to us with any other requests for funding."

A smaller funding request would be considered. Any cancellation was the decision of organisers.

Spending on the Rugby World Cup was not affecting the council's decision, she said. The council has so far put aside $350,000 for a sculpture for the tournament, as well as $100,000 for a cup village.

Angela Meyer of dance troupe Real Hot Bitches, which set a dancing world record at the 2007 carnival, said it was extremely sad.

"It's a huge loss for Wellington because everyone goes out there and everyone parties. It's the only non-sporting event where that happens."

Tim Cooke, musical director of Batucada, the Brazilian carnival band which is reigning "champion of the parade", said cancelling because of the World Cup made no sense.

"Why can't we have two big events in one year?"

Joe Lindsay, trombonist for Fat Freddy's Drop, which played some of the earliest carnivals, said the cancellation was a "stink buzz" as the carnival was "choice".

- © Fairfax NZ News