Anzac Day organisers faced $7000 bill for 15-minute road closure

A long-running Anzac Day Parade in Auckland was forced to scale back this year after organisers were asked to pay upwards of $7000 for traffic management.

Mount Eden Anzac Day Service volunteer Vivienne Young said the road near the War Memorial Hall was usually closed off for 15 minutes while a parade took place.

Young said in the 20 years she had been involved in the community-run event they had never paid for this.

But when she asked Auckland Council to make sure the road was blocked this year after traffic officers did not show up in 2024, she said the council advised they would need a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) costing between $7000 and $13,000.

"It came as quite a surprise. We certainly can't afford that.

She said they chose not to parade on the road for the first time this year for participants' safety.

"We paraded on the footpath which wasn't ideal because the pipe band are normally four-abreast.

She said hundreds attended the event on Friday 25 April including Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

"I mentioned the cost of the parade to Mr Peters and he wasn't impressed either. I told him I would've thought someone could be a little bit charitable on this day of the year and he corrected me and said charitable isn't the correct word, it's respect."

When she visited the police, she said they told her traffic management would have to be organised through the council.

She said they received a $2500 grant from the council that covered some of the costs of running the event including the pipe band and a sound system.

The remaining costs were covered by community fundraising and with help from volunteers and local churches including St Barnabas Anglican Church.

She said the event meant a lot to people in the community.

"The parade gives people the opportunity to remember those who fought for our freedom. A lot of children and grandchildren march on behalf of their parents and grandparents with their medals."

Auckland Council Head of Events Glynn Leggat said traffic management plans had to be completed by a certified Site Traffic Management Supervisor and approved by Auckland Transport.

"There is a cost associated with this service provision, paid directly to those providers, not Auckland Council.

"Local boards can sometimes offer funding to help manage this cost through community grants."

She said for community events, including ANZAC Day parades, council staff provided organisers with support and guidance and not specific planning or delivery of traffic management.

"This can include guidance on the process and potential cost to apply for road closures, which generally involve organisers acquiring a TMP.

"Staff also provide advice on the support available via Auckland Transport and NZ Police."

She said the council appreciated community events in the city.

"Council values the strong working relationships it holds with the groups that lead community events.

"Community events create civic cohesion, help to drive a sense of belonging and build community spirit and participation."

Minister for Veterans Chris Penk told RNZ Anzac Day events should be affordable for communities.

"Anzac Day events matter deeply to many Kiwis and should be as accessible and welcoming for our communities as possible.

"I appreciate that councils must work within current laws on traffic management and health and safety, which can sometimes lead to significant costs."

He said the government was in the process of reforming traffic management laws.

Winston Peters did not respond for request for comment.

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