Cyclone Gabrielle forces cancellation of Art Deco Festival
The Art Deco Trust has cancelled the 2023 Art Deco Festival, amid widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.
In an online announcement about noon on Wednesday, the Art Deco Trust which organises the festival said that it was impossible to proceed with the event given the impacts of the cyclone.
It had made the decision in conjunction with Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise and the local Civil Defence emergency operations centre.
With Napier city currently being isolated, its roading and infrastructure being severely compromised, and there being limited or no power and communications, essential resources needed to be directed to areas of most need, the trust said.
The Art Deco Trust issued a handwritten statement. Photo/Supplied.
The trust also wrote it had “no ability to communicate with the public”, and was relying on other organisations to get the message out.
"We ask that you please do not attempt to connect the Art Deco Trust at this time. All ticketholders will be contacted by iTicket in due course for a full refund.
"Our thoughts go out to those who have suffered losses during this difficult time."
The impact of Cyclone Gabrielle has been significant in scale and devastation across the region.
The city of Napier is currently isolated. Roading and infrastructure have been severely compromised, with limited or no power, and no communications.
Essential resources need to be directed to areas of most need.
The festival's cancelation also includes what was ti he a much expanded offering in Hastings this year on Thursday, and the Dirty Deco on Saturday.
