‘BATTLE OF THE SUITS’ DEBATE RETURNED IN 2021!
It was a night of entertainment and hilarity when the ‘Battle of the Suits’ debate organised and hosted by the Rotary Club of Downtown Auckland in association with Milford Asset Management featured again on the Auckland event scene on Wednesday 19 May 2021. 450 guests made their way to the 5-star Cordis Hotel ballroom in central Auckland, dressed-to-impress in their finery for the occasion and ready to enjoy the evening’s festivities.
On 19 May 2021, a ‘celebrity’ team comprising Steven Joyce, Dame Fran Wilde and Karl Budge argued the affirmative against the Legal Eagles, Julian Miles QC, Rachael Reed QC and Timothy Orr. The Honourable Justice Simon Moore of the High Court and Court of Appeal Justice Lyn Stevens adjudicated keeping everyone in line (between much hilarious commentary) and MC David Downs, failing at times NOT to favour the affirmative argument, brilliantly held everyone (including himself) in check and on track. The celebrity team were victorious on the night, as determined by a cheering audience.
The 2021 event raised funds for KiwiHarvest, a relatively new charity already operating nationally in NZ that rescues good quality surplus food and diverts it back to people in our community who need it. KiwiHarvest is currently a cause Downtown supports among others.
Funds were raised via table sales (45 tables of 10 in 2021), a silent auction run on the GalaBid electronic platform and live auctions before and after the debate. A raffle and the opportunity for guests to make online donations to both KiwiHarvest and Downtown Rotary raised a total in excess of $90,000.
Battle of the Suits #2 in 2021 was once again hugely successful, not only in raising a significant amount of money for both KiwiHarvest and Downtown but also from a public relations perspective increasing public awareness of both entities.
Events like this don't happen without the support of sponsors, our sincere thanks go to the following companies for their sponsorship of this event Milford Asset Management, Goodman Property, Countdown, Giltrap Audi, McDonalds, ellenandcompany, Encore, Harcourts Cooper & Co, Benefitz and Cordis Hotel
Battle of the Suits will return in May 2023.