One of Oamaru's biggest annual events, the Wine and Food Festival, might not be held next year because the organising committee has resigned.
The February festival in the Oamaru Public Gardens, held for 13 years, costs up to $40,000 to run, but has become so big and has to meet more and ever-changing Government and Waitaki District Council regulations it is now more than volunteers can manage.
It is organised by the Whitestone Waitaki Cultural Group, in recent years five to six committee members, to promote North Otago food and wine.
It has attracted thousands of people to Oamaru. Last year a maximum crowd of 5000 attended to listen to New Zealand singer Gin Wigmore.
Now, in a submission to the Waitaki District Council's annual plan, chairman Simon Berry wrote that the organising group had resigned and the festival was in jeopardy.
Mr Berry confirmed yesterday that meant the festival would not go ahead next February, unless someone else stepped forward to take it over.
"We have advised the Waitaki Development Board and council and offered them the opportunity to continue this event in some manner," he said.
Festival organisation had been left to a small group of people for many years - Mr Berry has been involved for seven years - but it had become more complex to run with too many problems to resolve.
These included meeting all the regulations and now having to prepare a risk management plan. Very late in the organisation of this year's festival the team learnt glass wine goblets were banned and it had to change to plastic.
Other regulations included meeting liquor licensing requirements, a limit on numbers attending and venue difficulties.
"We are a non-profit organisation made up of volunteers and get no return for a large amount of hours to organise the festival," Mr Berry said.
Last year, with a maximum crowd, the event turned a good profit. This year it made a "notable loss", although Mr Berry would not say how much.
Reserves had been built up over the years to cope with fluctuations in income.
"For this event to continue, it needs both financial assistance and support from the council through regulatory and administration improvements around events," he said in the submission.
This was not just an issue for festival organisers, but also for events in general in the Waitaki district.
"We would like to give the council the opportunity to get behind the region's wine, food and tourism industries and ensure this event continues for the wider benefit of the community," Mr Berry said.
He asked if the council.
• Was going to support a long-term resource for events.
• Saw the festival as an economic driver providing growth for the community.
• Was prepared to support the festival financially.
Waitaki Development Board chief executive Annabel Gudsell said yesterday the board, in conjunction with the council, was investigating options to keep the festival going.
They would be finalised and considered during the annual plan process.
