Mayor Max Brough may be the reformed Grinch as he hopes to switch New Plymouth's winter lights back on. Photo: LDR /Te Korimako o Taranaki
A new mayor who dresses up as the Grinch for Christmas says his cutback-council may revive New Plymouth's cancelled winter Festival of Lights.
Mayor Max Brough campaigned on cost-cutting and a rates cap, to rein in council spending and debt.
Brough dressed as the Grinch in New Plymouth's Christmas Parade last weekend and has a light-up likeness of the Dr Seuss character at his desk.
But as the government announces new rules to cap rates, the mayor says the winter festival may be back in 2027.
The previous council, which Brough slammed for loose spending, 'paused' the winter festival in February's annual plan budget saying the half-million-dollar cost couldn't be justified.
The festival is a mini version of summer's Festival of Lights in Pukekura Park, and attracted thousands downtown for illuminated artworks, music and food-trucks during the chill nights of Puanga Matariki.
The mayor said his new council discussed the winter festival informally soon after the election.
But councillors hadn't been sworn in so couldn't meet the deadlines of companies that tour the lights around the motu.
"It's not just a local thing, where we go and get lights and set them up."
Councillors definitely want to revisit options for 2027, Brough said.
"Maybe we can do something at a smaller scale.
"If there's an opportunity to do something on the Winter Festival with TAFT [Taranaki Arts Festival Trust] I'm hoping we can cobble something together."
He wanted to avoid raising hopes too high.
"Right now, it's probably not even 50-50, to be honest."
Brough said new councillor Gina Blackburn pointed out the free festival's popularity with young families, as winter darkness means tamariki could see the lights earlier in the evening.
Amigo & Amigo's interactive 'Curiosity' is one of a dozen works lighting up for five weeks from 20 December. Photo: LDR / supplied
Summer lights festival imminent
Meanwhile, the summer Festival of Lights begins on 20 December.
Twelve new installations include Lisa Reihana's Te Wheke-a-Muturangi, and interactive works from by Amigo & Amigo and Beamhacker.
Among 70 events over five weeks are Lost Tribe Aotearoa, Rā Charmian, Caravãna Sun, Mazbou Q, Kiwi rockers Racing and New Plymouth's People of the Sun.
For kids there are foam parties, glow-activities and a tots-to-teens music night.
There'll be acrobats, a Full Moon Gong Journey, and outdoor movies Cool Runnings, The Mountain and Mamma Mia! Sing-Along.
Glowing row boats will be back on the lake and there's a treasure hunt with prizes.
New Plymouth District Council said around 155,000 attended last summer's festival, 44 percent of them from outside Taranaki.
A report from BERL found an economic impact of $15.8m total expenditure around the Festival of Lights, with $8.1m added to Taranaki GDP.
-LDR is local body reporting funded by RNZ and NZ on Air
