The racist murder in Christchurch has forced the cancellation of the Pasifika festival 2019.
In a statement this morning Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development’s General Manager Destination, Steve Armitage said police must prioritise resourcing to ensure public safety.
He said they have today decided to cancel the Pasifika Festival for the coming weekend, 23 and 24 March.
Initial discussions with New Zealand Police gave us hope that through the festival we would be able to bring Auckland’s communities together at this time of national mourning.
However, given the unprecedented nature of what has happened, we appreciate and respect that the New Zealand Police must prioritise resourcing to ensure the safety of all our communities across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Pasifika Festival will return bigger and brighter than ever in 2020