Chair of the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Gay Games 2030 bid (TMAGG), Angus McDougall, ‘deeply disappointed’ with “current funding constraints… This challenge extends beyond just the Gay Games bid.”
TMAGG Chair Angus McDougall has concerns about changes to the city’s major events funding.
“Without a sustainable long-term funding model in place, our ability to commit to major events and projects beyond the immediate calendar year has been significantly impacted, limiting Auckland’s opportunity to secure large-scale events that require multi-year planning and investment,” McDougall explained in a statement announcing that the city had had to drop it’s 2030 Gay Games bid as they can no-longer guarantee funds for events happening beyond the next financial year.
“Despite this, I remain incredibly proud of the bid we put forward, and of everyone who stood behind it. The kaupapa and spirit of the Gay Games align so beautifully with the values of inclusion and belonging that we hold close here in Aotearoa New Zealand. My hope is that one day we will still have the chance to welcome the world here to celebrate that,” he said.
The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) say they are ‘deeply saddened’ by Auckland’s withdrawal.
“Until recently, Auckland used a special tax – Accommodation Provider Targeted Rate (APTR) – to fund major events, in which hotels and accommodation providers supported initiatives from the local government to attract tourists. This was deemed unlawful following a High Court decision in June 2022, and an alternative source of funding – necessary to support the bid process for Gay Games XIII 2030 – has not been secured, resulting in the TAU’s withdrawal from the process,” the FGG explained in a statement.
In their official statement, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (TAU) say they went into the Gay Games bid process in 2023 in, “good faith, believing that a user pays levy would replace the Accommodation Provider Targeted Rate (APTR) that previously funded major event activity.
“However, a long-term sustainable funding model, such as a visitor bed levy, has not eventuated, leaving TAU only able to secure major event content within a 12-month period.
“The next stage of the bid process is due at the end of this month, and we have exhausted all funding options to remain in the process.”
Only two cities now remain in the Gay Games XIII 2030 site selection process – Denver, USA and Perth, Australia. The Gay Games XIII 2030 site selection process is due to conclude in October 2025.
