Events are set to come back big time! We are heading into our first summer for some time when Covid restrictions are firmly in the back seat. This issue of Channel Mag has a focus on the events, so we decided to chat with a handful of local people in the events space. The organisers. These people live and breathe events – but they’ve been living with restrictions. The shackles are off now and that’s good for everyone. We asked them about the past couple of years, what they’ve got coming up for us in summer 2022/23 and quizzed them about their favourite events and summer things to do.
Adam Bennett is gearing up for a busy schedule of summer events without the restrictions of the covid traffic light system. Adam’s a Shore local and is the man behind the Highlife music events, he’s one of New Zealand’s leading promoters, specialising in boutique summer music festivals. Adam chats to Channel Mag about his Sunsetter Food, Wine and Music Festival and Hauraki Electric Picnic for Hauraki Primary School happening locally this festive season and the other events he’s gearing up for.
Channel Magazine: What’s the best part about covid restrictions of the past few years being lifted this events season?
Adam Bennett: The lifting of Covid restrictions gives us and other promoters more certainty. The most challenging part of managing events through this pandemic was the uncertainty so these changes help immensely.
CM: Summer 2022/23 is shaping up to be an exciting time, what events have you got lined up over the next 3-4 months for summer?
AB: We have Sunsetter Food, Wine and Music Festival happening at its new venue North Harbour Domain on Saturday November 26th and Highlife New Year’s Eve at Ascension Wine Estate Matakana. So far both events are selling a lot of tickets and are heading towards sold out occasions. People can find more info on these from sunsetterfestival.co.nz and highlifenye.co.nz
We are also organising a special fundraising event with the PTA called the Hauraki Electric Picnic for Hauraki Primary School on Sunday December 11th. This will be a mini music festival for the community to enjoy. Late summer next year we have plans to hold a fundraising event for North Shore united football club in Devonport as well.
CM: What are the challenges you are facing organising these events in post-Covid times?
AB: One of our biggest challenges is inflation. The costs of everything are going up and so events cost a lot more to produce. So for us, we need to try and find the balance between increasing costs while also providing a quality but affordable festival for people to attend.
CM: What other events are you personally looking forward to outside of your own events in Summer 2022/23?
AB: The ASB Classic, Takapuna Summer Days and Symphony at the Domain.
CM: When you’re not involved in organising events what are you looking forward to most in the Summer ahead?
AB: Everything outdoors! Swimming, fishing, BBQ’s, boating, hiking, you name it!
CM: Other than attending and buying tickets, are there any other ways our community can support your industry and events this summer?
AB: I guess people could help by spreading the word about events and encouraging others to attend.
Visit: www.highlifeentertainment.co.nz
Peter Allen lives and breathes local events, he’s from Milford and has recently been elected to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. Peter runs his own event management company, Seven Events. Along with corporate work, he’s produced some fantastic community events including GLOW@Artweek in Devonport, the Puanga Matariki Celebrations and Christmas by the Lake in Milford which many readers will be eagerly anticipating. In the lead up to the festive season and Summer, Peter answered a few questions about the events he has on the go, returning confidence around events and what inspires him.
Channel Magazine: What’s the best part about covid restrictions of the past few years being lifted this events season?
Peter Allen: It allows us to do what we love doing which is creating events for our clients both corporate and community. The confidence has returned and clients are willing to move forward with events that have been previously cancelled or postponed, it’s nice to get people and communities together again.
CM: Summer 2022/23 is shaping up to be an exciting time, what events have you got lined up over the next 3-4 months for summer?
PA: There are free local community events we are running, one of these is the ‘Christmas in Milford’ event on 26th November. There will be Christmas acts and live music, street games, face painting, a photobooth, Santa will also be there of course. The Food Truck Collective will provide food trucks and a bar. We will also have a craft market to get those Christmas gifts.
We are also running ‘Friday after Five’ in Devonport on 2nd December. We close off part of Clarence Street and create a street party environment. There will be live bands performing on the truck stage throughout the evening, street games, face painting, a glow tent, street acts and circus workshops. Local restaurants will be the food vendors for the evening.]
CM: What are the challenges you are facing organising these events in post-Covid times?
PA: The biggest thing is a skilled labour shortage. Many industry people left during the pandemic or have gone overseas now that borders are open. I know suppliers that have turned down work due to this.
CM: What other events are you personally looking forward to outside of your own events in Summer 2022/23?
PA: We will seek out events to get our Christmas and summer vibe going like the Takapuna Christmas Markets, New Year's Fireworks in the City and Music in the Parks.
CM: When you’re not involved in organising events, what are you looking forward to most in the Summer ahead?
PA: For us as a family, it will be heading out in our pop-top camper as much as we possibly can, spending time at the beach and in the water. Just enjoying the freedoms we have again.
CM: Other than attending and buying tickets, are there any other ways our community can support your industry and events this summer?
PA: There are often opportunities to volunteer at community events. This is a great way to meet your local community and get involved. It can also be loads of fun!
Erin Marmont is a Shore local and the General Manager of the North Harbour Club, an organisation that has over 200 local residents and business owners in the North Harbour region encouraging and providing financial assistance to young people achieving excellence in their chosen field, via the annual AIMES Awards. Erin and her team regularly organise and host fundraising events throughout the year and unlike most events teams, the festive season is often the club’s quiet period! Erin tells Channel Mag about navigating their events during the last few years and what’s on the horizon.
Channel Magazine: What’s the best part about covid restrictions of the past few years being lifted this events season?
Erin Marmont: Summer (particularly December-January) is usually a ‘quiet’ event time for the North Harbour Club, while everyone holidays and attends all the other events our country has to offer.
CM: Summer 2022/23 is shaping up to be an exciting time, what events have you got lined up over the next 3-4 months for summer?
EM: November has been super busy for the club, with eight events in as many weeks. We have the North Harbour Business Hall of Fame at The Spencer Hotel and this year local business icon Sir Stephen Tindall is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.
November also includes our Lexus of North Shore sponsored long lunch with National Party Leader, Christopher Luxon, and the Business Excellence Network (BEN) Breakfast at Regatta Bar & Eatery with Auckland Chamber of Business CEO, Simon Bridges.
CM: What are the challenges you are facing organising these events in post-Covid times?
EM: Event fatigue is real. Now the country has opened back up for events, everyone is hosting them. This means often people have other event commitments and getting numbers up can be challenging.
CM: What other events are you personally looking forward to outside of your own events in Summer 2022/23?
EM: Summer and music festivals. Just being able to hang out with my friends and family without masks on! I’m hoping to see Fatboy Slim again too.
CM: When you’re not involved in organising events what are you looking forward to most in the Summer ahead?
EM: Our annual camping holiday with my boys, Kobi (12) and Arlo (10) and a large group of friends down in Kuaotunu, Coromandel. And generally just enjoying the sun, warmth and sea at our local beach (Takapuna). I’m definitely a Summer girl.
CM: Other than attending and buying tickets, are there any other ways our community can support your industry and events this summer?
EM: The North Harbour Club has incredible top-notch events for people of all ages. The networking is second to none and a great way to support other businesses in the region, whose values also align with excellence. Our Charitable Trust gives out over $200k annually to youth in the area achieving excellence in their chosen field, through our AIMES Awards programme. The community can support our initiative by way of membership, sponsorship, auction items or donations.
Visit www.northharbourclub.co.nz or www.aimesawards.co.nz
Terence Harpur knows a thing or two about local events on the Shore, he’s the Chief Executive of the Takapuna Beach Business Association and an elected member of the Takapuna-Devonport Local Board. Terence grew up on the Shore and in his TBBA role he works with local businesses in the area to put on events to benefit the community and businesses. Terence talks to Channel Mag this month about Takapuna’s packed events schedule this festive season and the freedom from restrictions.
Channel Magazine: What’s the best part about covid restrictions of the past few years being lifted this events season?
Terence Harpur: Being free again! We can organise events without vaccine passports, limiting numbers and putting up lots of fencing. I can’t wait to see thousands of people back out and enjoying themselves.
CM: Summer 2022/23 is shaping up to be an exciting time, what events have you got lined up over the next 3-4 months for summer?
TH: Takapuna has LOTS of events coming this summer. Some favourites include our new Sunset Markets from 4-8pm on a Thursday, Christmas Carnival and Market on Saturday 3rd November, Summer Days Festival on Saturday 21st January and our Takapuna Beach Latin Fiesta on the 25th of February. Check out ‘I Love Takapuna’ on Facebook or our website.
CM: What are the challenges you are facing organising these events in post-Covid times?
TH: Confirming performers, staff and event equipment has been a bit of a challenge due to a lot of events being postponed last year and rescheduled for this summer. This means there are lots of back-to-back events, or even competing events with similar targeted audiences.
CM: What other events are you personally looking forward to outside of your own events in Summer 2022/23?
TH: The Sunsetter Food and Wine Festival on the 26th of November is always a great day out. It will also be great to get back into the Takapuna Beach Series on Tuesday and Thursday night.
CM: When you’re not involved in organising events what are you looking forward to most in the Summer ahead?
TH: It’s been a busy year, so just having some quality time with the whanau, relaxing on and in the water, heading up to the Bay of Islands for a week or so and generally lazing around will be great. I love summer and the beach so that’s where you will find me most days.
CM: Other than attending and buying tickets, are there any other ways our community can support your industry and events this summer?
TH: I recommend sharing events on Facebook and clicking ‘interested’ when you see them, this helps spread the word to your friends and family who might come along.
Visit: www.ilovetakapuna.co.nz.
