Overbearing?
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the job description of PR is to grease the wheels and ensure clients get good media coverage.
After 20 years of successfully running the iconic Te Kuiti Great NZ Muster - which sees a mob of sheep run through the town to coincide with the NZ Shears and attracts lots of visitors - concerns from the local council about health & safety has led it to can the event.
Waitomo District Council has ruled it can no longer hold the event, citing 'health & safety' concerns.
Mayor John Robertson claimed this was a "shame" but "controlling the sheep has been an issue in the past" and that "times have changed" and council had "reluctantly" opted to close the event for good.
This is despite the fact that the council has conceded not having the event "would be a loss that attracted an array of visitors to Te Kuiti".
