Uncertainty over remainder of Art Deco Festival with opening day events cancelled
Changes in Covid-19 alert levels has forced the cancellation of all Art Deco Festival events due to be held on Wednesday
In a statement, festival organisers said based on the government's current directive, they "regrettably" needed to cancel all events scheduled for February 17.
Last night, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield announced Auckland will move to Covid-19 alert level three, and the rest of the country to alert level two from 11.59pm for three days.
Level two restrictions mean gatherings are restricted to 100 people, social distancing of two metres is required and face masks must be worn on public transport. Cabinet will be reviewing the situation every day, and there is no guarantee the period of restrictions will not be extended.
The annual Art Deco Festival attracts thousands of people to the region. This year, festival events were due to begin on Wednesday and scheduled through to Sunday February 21.
An Art Deco Trust spokeswoman said decisions about the events for the remainder of the festival will be made based on Cabinet's updates today and tomorrow once they know the status of Covid restrictions.
"We will provide information about ticket refunds as soon as we are able to make decisions about whether or not events can go ahead," she said.
"For those of you who would be travelling from Auckland or Taranaki to the Festival, we expect you will make decisions based on Government’s advice. If the Covid restrictions are extended beyond Wednesday midnight, or you choose not to come to the Festival, we will make arrangements for ticket refunds.
"Please bear with us and be patient. We are doing our very best to make sure the Festival can go ahead, but we are reliant on Government decisions and advice. We will issue new updates as soon as information is available, and we have made decisions."
Cancelled events include:
• Par 2 Mini Golf – 9.00am
• Art Deco Vintage Car Tours – 9.00am, 10.30am, 12.00pm, 2.00pm, 3.30pm, 5.00pm
• Walking Tours of the Art Deco Quarter – 9.00am, 3.30pm
• 1930s Escape Room and Self-Guided Walk – 9.30am, 11.00am, 12.30pm, 2.00pm, 3.30pm, 5.00pm, 6.30pm
• Napier Cultural Hīkoi (Walking) Tour – 10.00am
• Deco Bus Tours – 10.00am, 1.30pm
• Port o Call Deco High Tea – 10.30am, 12.30pm
• Fashion Retailers Art Deco Walking Tour – 10.30am, 2.00pm
• Napier City Centre Earthquake – 10.47am
• Whakatuwheretanga Opening Ceremony – 12.00pm
• 1930's Waiata and Poi Dance Competition – 1.00pm
• High Tea & History at the Art Deco Masonic – 2.00pm
• 1931 Hawke's Bay Earthquake Commemorative Lecture – 5.30pm
• A Salute to the Services – HB Jazz Club Big Band Concert – 7.30pm
