The Channel Grill
Gavin Busch Life’s one big festival
Gavin Busch, with his wife Deana, is the organiser of the iconic More FM Devonport Food, Wine & Music Festival, yes that’s right More FM! Gavin and Deana have been managing the festival now for the past 3 years, during which time they have had several significant challenges including the more recent difficult economic period impacting on attendance and the expiration of their main sponsor. The 2012 event (Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th February) will be the 23rd festival. It started in 1990 as a community fund raising project of the Rotary Club of Devonport, who remain the charity of choice with the funds raised going to various local and national projects and organisations. In his ‘real job’ Gavin is an adviser with New Zealand Financial Planning Limited, one of the largest, independent companies specialising in financial planning in New Zealand. He is a Certified Financial Planner and was one of the first Authorised Financial Adviser’s (AFA) in the country. In organising and running a two day festival Gavin faces very different issues than his usual problem of market fluctuations, client nervousness and investing and managing other peoples money. Gavin and Deana have two daughters and live in Devonport. He is a current member of the Takapuna Rotary Club and has been actively involved within Rotary on the North Shore for 11 years. Appropriately, his interests include fine wine and dining, along with outdoor pastimes such as fishing, diving, tramping and hunting. Channel Magazine’s Aidan Bennett put some questions to him for ‘The Channel Grill’ during October just as he was launching the new website (www.devonportwinefestival.co.nz) which includes the full 2012 festival programme.
AIDAN BENNETT: How long have you lived on the Shore and what is your background?
GAVIN BUSCH: I did my schooling in West Auckland before heading off to Auckland University to complete a BCom in Economics and Accounting. Like many young New Zealander’s I always wanted to do my OE so during the 1990’s I spent a considerable time travelling and working overseas. Instead of heading into a banking or finance job in the UK I chose to run a hotel in South East London, This experience was most enjoyable and gave me great appreciation for the lifestyle. Upon my return from overseas I lived in Arrowtown for a period where I enjoyed hunting and fishing. My association with the Shore began as a child with my grandparents living in Narrow Neck so finally settling down in Devonport was very easy.
AB: What made you take on the iconic More FM Devonport Food, Wine & Music Festival?
GB: As a member of the Devonport Rotary Club I had been involved in overseeing the festival for a number of years. After a due diligence process and tender we purchased the rights to organise and run the festival from the Rotary Club. Our intention has been to ensure the festival survives the economic and marketplace challenges it faces. The Auckland entertainment market is very competitive and attracting financial sponsorship is difficult, losing such an iconic event as well as key funder of many great projects would be unthinkable.
AB: What do you love about organising it?
GB: We enjoy the interaction with many of our suppliers and supporters. One aspect you notice is the goodwill the event still attracts especially from North Shore businesses. Of course the stress of deadlines can be a distraction however seeing the festival come alive on the weekend gives us both a great degree of satisfaction.
AB: What was the highlight of the 2011 event for you?
GB: The highlight for the 2011 festival was the great entertainment we had. Having artists such as Anika Moa, Hitchcock Railway and the many others wanting to play shows how high the profile of the festival is now. Another big highlight was the introduction of a comprehensive 42 page programme booklet, something we have wanted to do for a number of years and was only possible with the support of our vendors and supporters.
AB: What are the big challenges of the event for you as the organiser?
GB: The biggest challenge we face is sponsorship. We get approached by many businesses wanting to provide goods in kind but financial sponsorship is the key to the continued viability and success of the event. Another challenge we face is promoting to people what good value the festival is, with two days, 18 bands, top comedians, cooking demonstrations as well as over 20 wineries and 15 food varieties available there is something for everyone and with numbers restricted we don’t get the overcrowding of years ago.
AB: What have you got lined up for the 2012 event in terms of entertainment?
GB: In 2012 we have the best line-up ever. We have managed to secure Che Fu, Boh Runga and dDub for the Saturday as well as The Phoenix Foundation, Jan Hellriegell and Shona Laing for the Sunday. Put these together with two of New Zealands best Stand Up comedians – Andrew Clay and Jeremy Elwood – it will be an event not to be missed.
AB: ... and food and wine?
GB: We also have some new vendors joining us in 2012. New foodies include Yummy Thai, Urban Escargot and Maldito Mendez, while new wineries to the mix include Tohu Wines (Nelson) & Ransom Wines (Matakana) who will be pouring their great wines along with some of the festival old favourites. 2012 also sees the introduction of Stoke Beer and Rochdale Cider, both from the McCashins stable of boutique beverages.
AB: More FM is the new sponsor. They are a great fit for the event aren’t they?
GB: More FM are a great fit. They have been a supporter and partner of the festival for a number of years. They promote the event on the radio and are a real part of the entertainment with their hosts MC’ing across the day. The More FM tagline of “Live it, Love it, Sing it” resonates very well with the festival, which with the awesome combination of Food, Wine and Music sets the scene of anticipation we know people will receive. We look forward to partnering with them in the future to make the festival even better.
AB: Why should people attend the 2012 Festival?
GB: Because it is the best festival in New Zealand. It is located in Devonport – on the shores of our glorious Waitamata Harbour – an ideal location to enjoy the music, food and wines on a sunny summer weekend.
AB: How do they get tickets?
GB: You can buy tickets through Ticketek as well as through contacting us directly via our website (www.devonportwinefestival.co.nz).
Doing what I love doing
