Jobs on the line at city’s venue operator

Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) could be the latest to suffer job cuts, indicated in a statement issued by the Dunedin City Council-controlled organisation.

The Otago Daily Times understands a number of staff were told on Thursday they no longer had jobs with the company, and were informed in a conference call with Dunedin Venues Management Ltd chief executive Terry Davies, before receiving an email.

DVML runs Forsyth Barr Stadium, the Dunedin Centre and other venues in the city, and labels itself the "central hub for premier events and entertainment in Dunedin".

The statement said DVML had been significantly impacted by the outbreak of Covid-19.

"As a result of the government directive around mass gatherings and events, our usual commercial, business and community events cannot take place for the foreseeable future.

"We have had to review our operations as it is likely we will suffer the effects of the pandemic for some time.

"We are currently consulting with staff about our options and as to how this will affect them.

"At the conclusion of that process further information will be available."

No further comment would be made at this time out of respect for staff, marketing and communications manager Kim Barnes said.

Ms Barnes did not answer questions directly about which staff and how many were affected.

RNZ reported Dunedin City Holdings Ltd — the parent company for the city's assets, including Aurora Energy's power network, Dunedin Airport and Forsyth Barr Stadium — had already forecast a loss of $14 million before the Covid-19 outbreak.

Dunedin City Holdings chief executive Keith Cooper said the outbreak might have serious ramifications for Forsyth Barr Stadium, with Super Rugby already gone and a July test match with Scotland and concerts in the balance due to international travel restrictions.

Pop punk bands Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer were booked to play at the stadium in November.

When asked about redundancies, Mr Cooper told RNZ nothing was off the table at present.

"All the companies will suffer some impacts to varying degrees, which is what we are trying to work through at the moment."

— Additional reporting RNZ