Waikato Regional Theatre $25 million confirmed by Hamilton City Council

A view of the proposed Waikato Regional Theatre and Embassy Park from Victoria Street. Image / Jasmax

Hamilton City Council has committed to give $25 million towards building a regional theatre despite public opposition and a last-minute attempt to stop the spending.

Councillor Garry Mallett raised a motion to not fund the new theatre when the council met on Friday to finalise projects in its 10-year plan.

The motion, which was seconded by Councillor James Casson, was knocked back by the majority of councillors who voted 10-3 to go ahead with contributing $25 million the development, plus $1.1 million a year for 20 years in operating costs.

On Thursday the Waikato Regional Council signed off on contributing $5 million to the project as part of its own 10-year plan.

Momentum Waikato intends to raise the balance of $23 million from funding bodies, corporate sponsorship, private donors and central government. Trust Waikato has already put forward $15 million and private donors have pledged $5 million,

As part of the 10-year plan public submissions, the new regional theatre attracted 920 people opposed to the spending. It was the second most disliked project after another revamp of Garden Place in the CBD.

Despite the majority of councillors supporting the project, there was still intense debate at the council table as Mayor Andrew King tried to shut down councillors from asking general manager Sean Murray questions about the project.

"This is all old information that we have had meeting after meeting on, can I just ask you to provide any new information," Mayor King said.
Councillor Paula Southgate challenged the mayor with the support from fellow councillors saying that these were key issues raised by public submitters.

"General manager, can I ask you to make your answer short and snappy, instead of five minute answers," Mayor King said again.
This brought a point of order from Councillor Angela O'Leary who asked the mayor to be more respectful to staff when presenting.

Mayor King continued, speaking to Mr Murray asking him not to 'fluff' his answers up, which brought an objection from the city's CEO Richard Briggs who said Mr Murray was only trying to answer elected member's questions.

"If you deem a question inappropriate than that should be directed towards a councillor, the GM only responds to the question if it is a legitimate question," Mr Briggs said.

Mayor King then told councillors to keep their questions to new information only, with councillor Southgate responding that she would be keeping her questions relative to those raised by submitters.

During a follow up question to the GM from Cr Southgate the mayor interrupted again saying she knew the answer already.

"I object to you disallowing my questions that are genuine from submitters which I feel have the right to have answers along with the media and the public," Cr Southgate said.

Mayor King then told councillor Mark Bunting before his question time if he could keep it to new information only.

"Thank you for your guidance, but I will be asking for the latest thinking on the response to the submissions, which is new," Cr Bunting said.

Councillors Mallett, Casson and Leo Tooman voted against committing $25 million to the Waikato Regional Theatre.

Mayor King, Deputy Mayor Martin Gallagher and councillors Rob Pascoe, Siggi Henry, Geoff Taylor, Dave Macpherson, Ryan Hamilton, O'Leary, Southgate and Bunting supported the funding.