Starlight show at risk as casino pulls out

Starlight Symphony stars include Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Photo / Martin Sykes

One of Auckland's most popular summer events is at risk after its major sponsor yesterday pulled hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding.

The SkyCity Starlight Symphony - which has been running for the past 17 years - is in limbo as its promoters look for a new sponsor.

SkyCity - the naming-rights sponsor for 11 years - has announced it will no longer fund the show.

Chief executive Nigel Morrison said though he could not put an exact figure on the company's annual contribution to the show, $300,000 was a "conservative" estimate.

It is understood the concert costs about $500,000 to stage and organisers have just six weeks to secure a new naming-rights sponsor.

Mr Morrison said SkyCity would use the money to assist charities and community projects instead.

"We think it is a great event but we've decided to directly put the money into employment schemes, education and home schemes.

"We'll be putting our donations to the community and families, directly helping people, rather than for an event which runs for one night."

The free February concert - which regularly draws crowds of more than 100,000 to the Auckland Domain - has been a highlight for many families.

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Howard Morrison, Hayley Westenra and Brooke Fraser have all performed, accompanied by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Starlight Symphony executive producer Alan Smythe said the concert would be abandoned if another sponsor was not found.

"I wouldn't do the show. People have to be paid - sounds and lights, staging. It's definitely at risk."

Mr Smythe said it would be a tragedy if the concert was to be dropped after so many years.

"Auckland would be a lesser place without the show. An event like this makes Auckland a richer place to be living in - not everyone wants to go to the rugby - and 100,000 people at the park, that's a huge number wanting to see the show, and it's free."

Auckland City Mayor John Banks said it was disappointing the Starlight Symphony was under threat, but it was a sign of the tough economic times.

"In a perfect world we would replace the sponsorship [straight away], but many other corporate companies are having to tighten their belts also."

Mr Banks said it would be unrealistic for the city council to foot the bill because that would mean ratepayers paying for a one-night concert.

Heart of the City chief Alex Swney described the Starlight Symphony as "quintessentially Auckland".

"On a beautiful summer's night with wonderful entertainment - free - Aucklanders flock to it. It would be missed."

News of the concert's possible demise came at the same time as an announcement that a number of other popular Auckland shows are to be put up for sale.

International events company DMG World Media said yesterday it would sell its New Zealand and Australian portfolio of shows, which includes 12 consumer and trade events in New Zealand such as the Auckland Home Show and Big Boys Toys.

Spokesman Edward Owens said the company was looking abroad to markets in the Middle East and Asia and investing in more technology-based shows.

DMG World Media was looking to "go to the market" with the New Zealand and Australian shows and would not settle for a low price.