The Selwyn Awards look set for a shake-up after district councillors criticised the cost of the event and its benefits to ratepayers.
Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon said it was clear there is an appetite from councillors to look into how the biennial event operates.
Gliddon said the review of this year’s event was set to come back to council and, after last week’s councillor briefing, she expected a thorough analysis and discussion.
“Councillors will give some direction on where we go with the awards in future.”
The awards recognise outstanding achievements by businesses, not-for-profit organisations, and individuals in the Selwyn district and has been held since 2014.
Head of venues and events Catherine Parker said one of the challenges for the event is the cost.
The 2025 event cost $361,102 to run, offset by $125,875 of sponsorship and ticket sales, and the 2027 event is forecast to cost $391,000.
“The current format of the event does carry a high production cost,” Parker said.
An event contractor helps run the event but “the goal is that every year council take more on and the event contractor does less so that we're building our capacity, our knowledge and capabilities”.
It was also noted the only KPI for the event is to have 600 people attended the “premier gala event”.
“I think that the bottoms on seats may be a little bit less robust a measure than I would like us to look at”.
Cr John Verry thought the number should increase to 1000 by putting on a more cost-effective event.
“Less glitz and glamour, and more added value.
“Can things be done cheaper, do we really need massive luxury desserts and things like that?”.
Cr Sophie McInnes said the awards are “pitched as a bit of an economic development business one” but a lot of the categories and winners were actually non-profits.
“They're starting to struggle to see themselves in the event and in the cost of attending the event.
“I don't know whether the answer is to make it a bit more of a slim down version or whether it's to have two separate events.”
It signalled there will be plenty of discussion when the review is tabled.
Chief executive Sharon Mason said how the future event looks will be part of the annual planning process.
“We as a team deliver what we're asked to deliver, she said.
“If this council decide that they want to have a different route, then we'll deliver what you want us to deliver.”
The pending review report will also include a survey that has been launched covering the event production, award categories, eligibility and judging process.
