AUCKLAND REGIONAL AMENITIES FUNDING BOARD Annual Report 2014-2015 Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board – Annual Report 2014-2015 1 Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board – Annual Report 2014-2015 2 Contents Chairs Report ........................................................................................................................ 4 Legislative Framework .......................................................................................................... 6 Funding Board Financial Summary ....................................................................................... 7 Overview of Amenities .......................................................................................................... 8 Auckland Festival Trust ..................................................................................................... 9 Auckland Philharmonia Trust ........................................................................................... 18 Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust ................................................................................... 26 Auckland Theatre Company Limited ................................................................................ 31 Coastguard Northern Region Incorporated ...................................................................... 39 New Zealand National Maritime Museum Trust Board ..................................................... 46 New Zealand Opera Limited ............................................................................................ 53 Stardome – Auckland Observatory and Planetarium Trust Board .................................... 60 Surf Life Saving Northern Region Incorporated ............................................................... 68 Watersafe Auckland Incorporated .................................................................................... 72 Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board Annual Report - Financial Statements Year Ended 30 June 2015 ........................................................................................................... 77 Specified Amenities Financial Results ............................................................................. 91 Audit Report ........................................................................................................................ 96 Directory ............................................................................................................................. 98 Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board – Annual Report 2014-2015 3 Chairs Report As the Funding Board finalises its sixth Annual Report, it is worthwhile reflecting on the considerable progress that the ten specified amenities have made over the last six years. It is particularly pleasing for both I, and the other board members, to reflect on the small role we have played in bringing about the many significant changes. The amenities have seized all the opportunities to improve their governance and management structures; expanded outreach and other services across the wider Auckland region, and are delivering enhanced services and products. The ten amenities contribute greatly to the lives of the citizens of Auckland and its visitors and as a board we have been fortunate to see first-hand the impact the organisations have had in our region. We all appreciate just how much of a positive impact this funding has had on each of these organisations, and that is represented in the services they deliver to the ratepayers, residents and visitors to Auckland. Although the ten amenities that receive funding from the board are diverse in nature, it is recognised that each of these organisations is making a significant contribution towards achieving the outcomes laid out in the Auckland Plan adopted by Auckland Council. Together, they all work towards making Auckland the world’s most liveable city. With the population of Auckland growing at the rate of approximately 30,000 to 40,000 people per year, or the equivalent of the Wellington City population being added to Auckland every five to six years, demand for the services provided by these ten amenities will only continue to increase. The Funding Board has the responsibility, on behalf of the ratepayers of the Auckland region, for overseeing the distribution of grant funding to the ten specified amenities named in the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act 2008. The Funding Board takes this responsibility seriously, and is acutely aware that the grant funding being distributed is public money, and as a consequence the Funding Board is duty bound to ensure that it is spent in a manner that provides value for money to the ratepayers, while also providing a degree of financial security to each of the ten specified amenities. Over the last six years, members of the Funding Board have built up a comprehensive knowledge of the ten specified amenities which greatly assists deliberations when assessing requests for funding. This report contains narratives provided by each amenity outlining the range of activities undertaken during the last year. These make for thought-provoking reading, because they all recognise the significant contribution that regional funding has made to the way they conduct their operations; the services they provide; and the changes they have been able to make. Each entity has focussed on delivering the very best outcomes to benefit the ratepayers and residents of Auckland. Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board – Annual Report 2014-2015 4 It is particularly pleasing to read in the commentaries provided by the Amenities (pages 9-75) that a significant amount of work is being undertaken by the Amenities to further the interests of Māori in the Auckland region, whether it be commissioning and presenting specific works by and about Māori (e.g. the Auckland Arts Festival’s The Kumara and the Mooncake), or providing programming directly targeted for at risk Maori (e.g. the Watersafe Auckland water safety programmes). All the Amenities have inclusive policies to cater for the diverse nature of the Auckland demographic makeup – but where appropriate, specific programmes or events have been implemented to recognise the unique role for Māori in Auckland. In May 2015 there were a number of changes on the board. Scott Milne’s term on the board was completed after serving on the board since its establishment in February 2009. Scott’s contribution both as a board member, and more latterly as Deputy Chair since March 2014 has been greatly appreciated. Steve Bootten was welcomed as a new board member on 1 June 2015, joining Catherine Harland, Diane Maloney and Lyn Lim who were all reappointed for a further three year period. I must once again thank all the members of the Funding Board for their hard work, commitment, enthusiasm, professional manner, and good humour throughout the year. The varying viewpoints, skills and experience are paramount when discharging the duties of the Funding Board in order to best serve the requirements of the legislation that the board operates under. The Funding Board remains grateful for the in-kind support it receives from Buddle Findlay for continuing to make its facilities available for board meetings. Vern Walsh Chair Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board – Annual Report 2014-2015 5 Legislative Framework The Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act 2008, which the board operates under, allows the Funding Board to fix a levy to be imposed on Auckland Council; for that to be paid to the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board to be then distributed as grants to the ten specified amenities named in the legislation. The purpose of the funding is to establish a mechanism that will ensure the on-going sustainability of these specific organisations that deliver arts, culture, recreational, heritage and rescue services and facilities to the Auckland region. The annual grants distributed to the ten amenities are derived from the levy paid to the Funding Board by Auckland Council, and by extension, the ratepayers of Auckland. Both the Funding Board and amenities are aware of the source of this funding, and as such, each amenity ensures that they acknowledge the significant funding contributions of Auckland Council and the ratepayers of Auckland. Since the legislation became operative in 2008, between the first payments being made to the amenities in August 2009 through to June 2016, a total of $89.24 million has been distributed to the ten amenities. This has had the effect of bringing a high degree of financial stability to these organisations as well as enabling the standard and range of services and facilities provided to Aucklanders to be improved accordingly. Details of the total grants paid to the amenities from 2009 through to 2015 are shown in the graph below: Annual Grants to Specified Amenities $16,000,000 $14,000,000 $12,000,000 $10,000,000 $8,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $0 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 Grants $8,700,000 $11,285,000 $12,875,000 $13,730,000 $13,781,000 $13,996,000 $14,873,400 Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board – Annual Report 2014-2015 6 Funding Board Financial Summary In 2014-2015 the Funding Board was able to return to business as usual following the unexpected activities in 2013-2014 surrounding the judicial review that the board was a party to. Early in the beginning of the financial year the Funding Board received advice that following the decision of the High Court, there would be no further appeals. This