HUNDERTWASSER TROUBLES

 

The viability of the Hundertwasser Arts Centre (HAC) is being questioned following a significant drop in visitor numbers in the second half of last year.

 In the first four months of operation, the HAC had 37,000 visitors. That dropped to just 19,800 in the latter half of 2023. This had a direct effect on admission fees and gift shop revenue. The revenue from entry fees did not even cover the staff costs which are forecast to be $1m for the full year.

 The total operating loss in the six months to 31 December 2023 was $765,000.  That shortfall has been partly covered by drawing down $500,000 from a $2 million contingency fund created to support the trust during its first 10 years. $500,000 was drawn down previously and $750,000 “dissolved” after a guarantee provided by the Ngātiwai Trust was forfeited by the Whangarei District Council in a behind-closed-door meeting in August 2023. Only $250,000 of that $2 million fund remains after just two years.

 A spokesman for the Hundertwasser trust is reported to have said the lower ticket sales were due to lower-than-expected international tourist numbers, rising living costs, the wet weather, cyclone Gabrielle, and the Brynderwyns closure. The comment was made,

“There are no other museums and art galleries in New Zealand that run without council support. I haven’t been able to find one…I think that is noteworthy what we are being expected to do here - to have an art museum of this magnitude that’s expected to pay for itself.”

That is exactly what is expected because that’s how the project was sold to ratepayers – that it would “pay for itself”.

 It is now very clear that the Hundertwasser is unlikely to “pay for itself” if those in charge continue with a strategy that relies on international tourists.

 It now seems inevitable that the remaining $250k in the contingency fund will be exhausted within the next year and Council may be confronted with an agenda item that gives them the option of either funding the shortfall or closing the gallery.  History suggests they will choose the former and ratepayers will end up paying.

Some will say ratepayers were duped. Big promises were made about the economic benefits. These were echoed in June 2018 when the then Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, pledged the government’s support for the project, saying,

 “I’m pleased to be in Northland to announce this funding today. Annually, the centre will attract more than 200,000 visitors bringing about $26 million in net economic benefit”.

 The Centre opened in February 2022 and includes the Wairau Māori Art Gallery. The total project cost was $33 million, of which $3m was provided by the WDC and $1.5m by the Northland Regional Council. Central government contributed $18.5m via the Provincial Growth Fund. 

 

Further information

Northern Advocate: Loss for Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangārei as visitor numbers drop Here >>> 

 RNZ: Hundertwasser centre to include dedicated Māori art gallery Here >>>

Northern Advocate: Whangārei's Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery doors to open Here >>>

Stuff:  Hundertwasser Arts Centre a 'huge bonus' for Whangarei Here >>>

Beehive: Partnership to promote the arts in Northland: Hundertwasser Arts Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery Here >>>