Concert promoter Phil Sprey setting up for an Elton John concert. PHOTO: ODT FILES
The proposed move from the Dunedin City Council comes amid a difficult environment for putting on large events and looming competition from Christchurch's Te Kaha stadium from next year.
Councillors had been told their existing events delivery budget of $569,900 was too small to give effect to a plan under development.
Yesterday, they added $800,000 to the draft budget for 2025-26 and $1.2m for each of the three years after that, these changes are set to be included for public consultation on the 2025-34 draft long-term plan.
A former promoter with 40 years' experience, Phil Sprey, said the proposed move was "admirable, but a drop in the ocean".
The opening of Te Kaha could lead to Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium becoming "almost forgotten", he said.
"The cost of going to Dunedin is prohibitive ... a dozen years ago, even when we first put Elton John on ... one of the biggest issues we had was the very limited amount of accommodation available."
This problem had not changed, he said.
City councillor Bill Acklin, who proposed the funding increase, said the council needed to put in enough money to get the right results.
"When it comes to festivals and events, the environment has changed worldwide," he said.
"It's certainly changed within Australasia and the reality is if we don't appropriately resource our council departments and events to ensure that we get our share, then we won't."
Cr Andrew Whiley noted the stadium being built in Christchurch and said "there is a big fighting fund to promote that stadium".
"We have a wonderful stadium as well."
Deputy mayor Cherry Lucas, one of two councillors who voted against the increase, was worried about the council having a "kneejerk reaction".
The other councillor to vote against, Lee Vandervis, said local creativity was required.
"To me, buying events is a lazy way out," Cr Vandervis said.
"We need to create our own events."
A report for the council described the festival and events plan as envisioning Dunedin as a vibrant city enriched by memorable, inclusive events.
"It provides strategic pathways for community-led and major events to grow sustainably, reflecting the council's commitment to strengthening Dunedin's events through focused, actionable plans underpinned by realistic budget provision.
"For community events, the plan seeks to enhance Dunedin's local appeal, celebrate inclusivity and foster a strong identity.
"For major events, it outlines strategies to increase visitation, drive tourism, stimulate economic growth, diversify our portfolio, elevate the city's profile and enhance its appeal as a place to live, work and invest."
Mr Sprey formerly led Capital C: Concerts and he said the world had changed since Covid-19.
"International artists are all trying to come back with a hiss and a roar and [recoup] money that they didn't make during that period.
"If you look at some of the calendars, the northern hemisphere is actually getting bombarded, because that's where they're going, whereas the southern hemisphere, being a long way away and all the costs involved, we're less attractive and we're way down the pecking order."
He suggested Dunedin focus on the domestic market.
