Tourism Waitaki’s Fire and Steam has in the past filled historic Harbour St on the first night of Oamaru’s Steampunk NZ Festival Weekend, which begins on May 31 this year.
But yesterday, Tourism Waitaki general manager Margaret Munro announced the council-controlled organisation had decided not to back the event.
The decision was part of a wider review of the organisation’s financial stability, and because Tourism Waitaki was not typically the driver of community events, no other events were at risk.
"We have to have a greater discussion with council about how they want to see events going forward," Mrs Munro said.
She believed "whatever Tourism Waitaki does and whatever involvement we have with whatever we do must be sustainable. Because we are running a business. We are not a not-for-profit charity."
Mrs Munro took on the role of general manager in March. Earlier that month the organisation reported it had budgeted for a surplus of $143,637, but had now revised that to a deficit of about $120,000 after its new Harbour St attraction, Whitestone City, had failed to generate the revenue expected.
Yesterday, Mrs Munro said the organisation’s financial position was not part of the decision.
"We want to relook and restart anew rather than keep doing something that isn’t going to actually be sustainable," she said.
Steampunk NZ Festival Weekend festival director Helen Jansen said she had spoken with Tourism Waitaki about the decision, but the remainder of the festival had "nothing to do with" Tourism Waitaki.
Steampunk festival attendees had enjoyed the night as a way to "kick off" the festival and would be disappointed this year, but next year for the 10th festival there would be a replacement event for the opening night.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said he believed the event would return next year "showing a level of quality that’s of a really good standard".
"It’s disappointing, but I also understand the reasons behind it and there is a full review of all of the events that Tourism Waitaki is running, or involved in. And that is something that had to happen.
"Fire and Steam is largely reliant on its sponsors and gate takings and all it takes is bad weather on the night and the gate takings will be closer to zero," Mr Kircher said.
"That exposes Tourism Waitaki significantly and they, responsibly, are taking time to look at how they can manage that risk and make sure they are not the ones left carrying the can if the weather doesn’t play its part."
