Taxpayers Pay For Glasto Appearances

The New Zealand government-funded Creative NZ paid for some New Zealand urban and dance acts to play at the Glastonbury Festival’s Australia and NZ showcase.

Rapper King Kapisi and soul singer Bella Kalolo received NZ$27,000 (US$23, 300) for return airfares and hip-hop singer Ladi6 was already touring in Europe on a $13,000 (US$10,700) taxpayer-funded grant.

Others like Shapeshifter, Phoenix Foundation and Electric Wire Hustle paid their own way.

Earlier this year, Creative NZ paid for Glastonbury booker Malcolm Haynes to come to NZ to check out talent.

The NZ government spends a total of $400,000 to get selected acts abroad.