A Govt that has no understanding of the real Damage and destruction of People’s investment in business the True cost financially and Emotionally is just a disgrace to a Govt who keep telling us they care

Our lives are dictated by Epidemiologists Who are single minded to their profession . If they truly cared about the Health and Well being of our population they might have at least taken the time to talk and listen to people like yourself…But they don’t care instead flood us with ridiculous daily Rhetoric and Spreading fear to some who listen.. While our Country is falling apart Shame on this lot of Control freaks in Power

So many great businesses gone down the gurgler, for what?! Our ‘Health’ system was a mess 2 years ago, now it’s worse. Our economy wasn’t great two years ago now it’s down the toilet. For a virus which is as deadly as the flu. Yet the MSM are paid off and don’t ask questions, opposition barely any better, no accountability from govt. What an absolute waste.

And JA doesn’t give a S$&t It’s all in Agenda21 available for all to see except the NZers who can’t see past their N95’s

I’d like to thank Phil, I’ve enjoyed many of those events he has put on. I missed them greatly also. I really feel for Phil, and all the other guys and gals like him. Ignored, abused and dismissed as nothing by this government.

Sue Reyland

The Daily Examiner NZ

“Instead of passing my business onto my eldest son, I had to make him redundant, unemployed and now can’t even leave him anything more than a memory” says Phil Sprey owner of Capital C: Concerts, “like others in the arts and entertainment industries we are considered by this government as expendable”.

Major Events Owner: “Instead of Passing My Business onto my Eldest Son, I Had to Make him Redundant, Unemployed”

Well-known events company Capital C: Concerts is closing down, with owner Phil Sprey slamming the Labour government over inaction and “pure vote-buying”. The following is a release from the Capital C Concerts website:

After 30 years of entertaining New Zealand, Capital C: Concerts is closing its doors…. The brand is being retired.

The final straw was the ‘Clayton’s Support the Labour Government has produced which does little to nothing for the events, entertainment, and arts sector. It is pure vote-buying window dressing with no practical help for anyone. Another con-job. Too little and far, far too late.

“Instead of passing my business onto my eldest son, I had to make him redundant, unemployed and now can’t even leave him anything more than a memory” says Phil Sprey owner of Capital C: Concerts, “like others in the arts and entertainment industries we are considered by this government as expendable”.

As a company we have entertained the population of NZ many times over. Bringing a range of international artist to the country and presenting them nationwide to small venues and equally to the biggest stadiums. Our rich history heralds such names as Sir Elton John, KISS, Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi, Moody Blues, Ozzy Osbourne, Poison, Lordi, Sol3mio, Peter Powers, Little River Band, Creedence Clear Water, Ivan Rebroff, Herman’s Hermits, The Searchers, Bananas in Pyjamas ….. events like the biggest ever ethnic festival, ‘Go Dutch’, The Dresses for Humanity – Diana’s Dresses Exhibition, The Disney Toy Exhibition, the first to tour the Anne Frank Exhibition in 1997 and the first ever ticketed event ‘Flora! Flora!’ at Government House ………………. plus, many more. We have also proudly supported upcoming local artists and given millions of dollars to domestic charities whom we have linked to each major concert.

Was there a way to stay open?

Yes. We outlined workable plans in 2020 to Jacinda and co. No reply. We repeated ideas and proposals on two other occasions…… no one was listening.

The April 4th announcement leaving NZ in the ‘RED’ was the final straw…………………

So thanks NZ for support us and our touring artists over the years and while you can always enjoy music etc online, please return and support live events when they do return… hopefully soon.

Phil Sprey

Owner. Capital C: Concerts

Until the start of COVID we specialised in major stadium sized concerts but in 2 years have had nothing, including no help from the Labour Government. We wrote to the PM and multiple ministers with no reply other than an auto-response saying they would get back to us. It never happened. We can’t even open a discussion, negotiation let alone contract an artist to come to NZ under the restrictions that have been imposed. There has been and still is no plan and then to top it off no assistance to keep the doors open. We have laid off all staff, cut back to the bone and have no reserves left. Our events also support venues, merchandisers, hospitality, accommodation, technical suppliers, ticketing agencies and a host of other business and people who rely on out work. All gone. The public too suffer. A whole generation of especially younger people in their late teens and twenties are going to lose traditional ‘rite of passage’ experiences that will never be regained. Many artist, due to age, Northern Hemisphere priorities etc, will now never come to NZ and even if everything went back to some sort of normality, won’t recover to the numbers and frequency of performances until at least 2025. And the lost income and therefore tax take…. all missed.

The recent so called support package is only open to already announced events until early next year so the actual numbers of applicant are minimal. We haven’t been able to contract any artist as what are the rules of audience numbers and restrictions? What are the inbound MIQ criteria? When are the restrictions going to be changed or lifted? Try writing a legal and binding document with no clear guidelines from the government. And then there is no major cancellation insurance available.

Cont next pic ….

Note from Sue Reyland …

(If any government did this not 10 or 15 years ago there would have been social uproar, but people have really fallen deep into the system the last few years. Smash your television

Typical of this incompetent government close everything down, make the population dependent on the state. That’s their aim and they’re well on their way. Pray they will be dumped out of power at the next election.)

Kiwis have been numbed into submission, they are gun-shy and even with the movement in the traffic light system are reluctant to return to public areas like accommodation, hospitality etc. Younger people are likely to return to entertainment first but older Kiwis will largely opt to stay at home or in smaller gatherings and then when will the mask era disappear? And then the axe dangling by government which still wants to keep the spectre of bringing back restrictions alive.

Was there a way to stay open? Yes. We outlined workable plans in 2020 to Jacinda and co. No reply. We repeated ideas and proposals on two other occasions…… no one was listening.

The April 4th announcement leaving NZ in the ‘RED’ was the final straw…………………

So thanks NZ for support us and our touring artists over the years and while you can always enjoy music etc online, please return and support live events when they do return… hopefully soon.

Phil Sprey

Owner. Capital C: Concerts

Thank You Phil … A Govt that has no understanding of the real Damage and destruction of People’s investment in business the True cost financially and Emotionally is just a disgrace to a Govt who keep telling us they care and to look out for each other.. Our lives are dictated by Epidemiologists Who are single minded to their profession . If they truly cared about the Health and Well being of our population they might have at least taken the time to talk and listen to people like yourself…But they don’t care instead flood us with ridiculous daily Rhetoric and Spreading fear to some who listen ..While our Country is falling apart Shame on this lot of Control freaks in Power

So sad to hear … but that is there agenda get rid of small businesses…destroy NZ until we are like China and communist

Ardern has a lot to answer for !

Sue Reyland

kiwisprotectingourfreedomofexpression.com