Cooks Gardens management brought inhouse

Published on 12 December 2016

12 December 2016

A joint media statement from Whanganui District Council and the Whanganui Events Trust

Whanganui District Council has made the decision to bring the management of Cooks Gardens in house from 1 July 2017.

This decision was not made lightly and is in line with the ten year strategic plan and alignment with the new organisational structure put in place by Whanganui District Council earlier this year. The decision is also based on budget and how cost savings are made in all areas.  Therefore, Whanganui Events Trust will no longer receive the annual investment of $80,000 to manage Cooks Gardens on behalf of Whanganui District Council.

“We have seen an increase in community usage at Cooks Gardens and are grateful for all the good work Whanganui Events Trust has accomplished in driving this increase and managing this facility,” states Kym Fell, Chief Executive of Whanganui District Council.

“The time has come to bring this asset in-house and will be managed alongside other iconic venues including the War Memorial Centre and Royal New Zealand Opera House,” continues Mr Fell.“This fits nicely into the new organisational structure we put in place earlier this year and will help Council with further cost savings as we can manage Cooks Gardens within the current  capacity we have internally,” added Mr Fell.

Kathy Cunningham Chief Executive of Whanganui Events Trust says that the Whanganui Events Trust can now be focused on growing capability and managing great events in the Whanganui Region.

“We have enjoyed our time at Cooks Gardens and the wonderful support and working relationship with Council, especially when we have big events including the Wanganui Steelform Rugby final, but are looking forward to making sure we can build on promoting, managing and assisting events in the region.”

Ms Cunningham says, “We will also look at the much needed event capability training so that many fantastic events can thrive with the right people at the helm.”

“This is a win – win – win for everyone where Whanganui District Council saves funds, Whanganui Events Trust is no longer distracted by managing a facility and we both still have a strong relationship based on providing value to the community,” concludes Ms Cunningham.

Mr Fell and Ms Cunningham commented that events are a key driver of economic activity in regions and to allow Whanganui Events Trust to focus on this key activity is a great outcome too.

Whanganui District Council supports many events in the region and owns 49% of the New Zealand Masters Games.