Topless parade 'for the public'

The Dominion Post | Wednesday, 27 August 2008 Boobs on Bikes promoter Steve Crow still plans a parade in Wellington despite a Chamber of Commerce business survey that says it is not good for the city's image.

Mr Crow said yesterday he was not interested in what a bunch of shopkeepers thought and was pressing on with plans for a lunchtime parade of topless women through central Wellington on November 7. Last week's Auckland parade drew 100,000 spectators and he expected it could draw 50,000 in Wellington.

"We're not doing the parade for the shopkeepers, we're doing it for the public," said Mr Crow, whose parades are designed to promote his Erotic Lifestyle Expo.

Chamber of Commerce chief executive Charles Finny said though 86 per cent of central Wellington businesses thought it would have no effect on trade, 67 per cent of chamber members said it would not be good for the city's brand. "We don't think that parade is going to enhance our image as the arts and cultural capital of New Zealand."