Media Release 20 February 2019
Family First NZ is labelling a decision by Auckland Council’s events group (ATEED) to defund the Auckland Santa Parade as scroogey and a politically correct hijack of one of the city’s most iconic annual events.
“Despite being a major event which has attracted hundreds of thousands of children for years, and which should automatically qualify it for funding consideration, the agency is thumbing their nose at this family event in favour of other cultural-based events such as the Chinese Lantern Festival, Diwali and the Pride Parade. But if these ‘events’ qualify, the child-focused Santa Parade definitely qualifies,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.
“It seems that an event to ‘celebrate Christmas’ is no longer deemed acceptable and worthy of recognition – despite its history and iconic status as an annual event. Is this indicative of hostility towards traditional New Zealand celebrations such as Christmas?”
“This seems a highly politicised decision, but children will be the ultimate losers of a much-loved family event.”
Family First is calling for funding support to enable the Parade to be able to continue on an annual basis.
ENDS
