‘Out of respect’: Sting cancels Napier Mission Winery Estate concert after Cyclone Gabrielle

Sting has cancelled his Mission Winery Estate Concert in Napier scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 4.

Organisers announced last week the build at the venue had commenced and that the site was “in relatively good condition” despite the surrounding regions being severely affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

That social media post was met with a furious backlash with many saying the decision to press ahead was in “bad taste”.

“Our accommodation hosts have just literally swam for their lives and have lost EVERYTHING! This doesn’t seem right at all,” one said.

In a press release on Monday afternoon, organisers said the decision had been made “out of respect to those affected.”

All ticket holders have been promised an automatic refund.

“Out of respect to those affected by the devastating impact of Cyclone Gabrielle and in the interest of focusing critical attention and resources on relief efforts, Sting’s concert on Saturday, March 4 at Mission Estate Winery in Napier will no longer proceed.

“A donation will be made by Sting and Live Nation to the Hawke’s Bay Foundation’s Cyclone Relief Fund,” the promoters said.

Sting’s Christchurch concert on Wednesday, March 1 is unaffected and will proceed as planned.

Sting will be a guest on The Project on Three on Monday night from 7pm.