Price of abridged drone show $241,000
Dunedin City Council faced criticism after a $241,000 drone show was cancelled due to technical difficulties following a venue change. The event was intended to be a free community celebration for Matariki.
Why it matters
Public expenditure on high-cost entertainment events often faces scrutiny regarding value for money and administrative competence.
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News of the cancellation of the first of Friday night's drone shows flicks up on a big screen at the stadium. A $241,000 price tag accompanied Dunedin City Council’s drone show which was hampered by a last-minute cancellation.
The council says technical challenges following a venue change were ultimately responsible for scrapping the first of two large-scale drone light shows planned for Matariki mā Puaka celebrations at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday.
The 6pm drone display was cancelled with an hour’s notice. The council cited technical difficulties and apologised for the inconvenience.
Some attendees expressed disappointment about the cancellation, saying the earlier display was one of the main reasons they attended and their children would not be able to stay for the 8.45pm show.
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