More Regional Events To Get Funding Boost
Press Release – New Zealand Government
Events are excellent drawcards to get more visitors into our regions, particularly in quieter parts of the year for the tourism and hospitality sector. Funding comes from the $5 million Regional Events Promotion Fund. Over its two rounds, the Fund …
Minister for Tourism and Hospitality
The Government is driving economic growth in the regions by investing $2.6 million in 152 regional events, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
'I'm thrilled with the variety of exciting events on offer, encouraging more New Zealanders to enjoy and explore our beautiful country beyond the main centres,' Louise Upston says.
'Events include the National Waka Ama Sprint Championships in Waikato, the National Jazz Festival in the Bay of Plenty, the 2026 Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, and NZ Premier Motorsport Summer Series events around the country.
'Some of the new events coming to the regions include the Whakapapa Festival, a non-skiing event occurring over June 2026, and Summernats NZ, a car festival in the Waikato.'
'I'm particularly pleased to support events in regions which traditionally don't see as many domestic tourists,' Louise Upston says.
'Investing in these events has a direct impact, with visitors spending money in local cafes, businesses and accommodation providers, driving economic activity in our communities.
'By growing regional tourism, our remote and rural communities can benefit from the economic opportunities it brings.
'Events are excellent drawcards to get more visitors into our regions, particularly in quieter parts of the year for the tourism and hospitality sector.
'New Zealand is open for business, and we encourage both Kiwis and international visitors alike to explore and enjoy what New Zealand has to offer.'
Funding comes from the $5 million Regional Events Promotion Fund. Over its two rounds, the Fund has invested in 284 regional events.
The full list of funding recipients is available on the MBIE website.
Notes:
The Regional Events Promotion Fund was a contestable fund over two financial years to support regions to host local events attracting domestic tourists.
The Fund was established using $5 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy ($2.375 million for round one and $2.652 million for round two).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
Westpac NZ And Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau Support Rotorua Whānau Into Homes
Press Release – Owhata Kohanga Rakau The first stage of the development opened in December last year, when 16 whnau moved into affordable rental properties. Last month local kaumtua moved into 20 affordable rental properties that were set aside specifically for them in the heart … Westpac NZ and Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau Housing are celebrating a partnership which will see the delivery of a major new housing development on Māori land in Rotorua, with the latest milestone the unveiling of a new monument sign for the community's entrance. The Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau development will deliver 93 mixed tenure homes to local Rotorua whānau through social housing, affordable rentals and shared home ownership arrangements (also known as progressive home ownership). Westpac has provided funding for the project – where 36 affordable rental homes have been completed and a further 30 homes are under construction. Westpac is also providing mortgages to help whānau purchase properties through Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau's shared ownership pathway on leased land. Jason Rogers, Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau Chairman, says the entrance sign's unveiling is a significant event for the iwi with whānau and kaumātua now living in the affordable homes. 'Ultimately this community will comprise 93 new, well designed warm homes on whenua Māori. Our goal has been to bring stability in housing outcomes for our people and the sign is a milestone that will strengthen that sense of connection to the whenua. This is a significant undertaking and the project will deliver much needed housing for our people and the community,' Mr Rogers says. 'Having Westpac on board as a bank partner has meant we've been able to work quickly to begin delivering the next stage of homes and we're grateful for their support. We'd also like to acknowledge the support of the Ministry for Housing and Urban Development and Armillary Private Capital, who acted as financial advisors and undertook the financial modelling for the project.' Reuben Tucker, Westpac NZ General Manager Institutional & Business Banking, says Westpac is pleased to be able to play a role in the development. 'As a bank, we're committed to supporting more New Zealanders to find a place to call home,' Mr Tucker says. 'The range of different housing options available through the Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau development is hugely significant, especially since it is on whenua Māori. We're excited to support the aspirations of everyone involved.' The first stage of the development opened in December last year, when 16 whānau moved into affordable rental properties. Last month local kaumātua moved into 20 affordable rental properties that were set aside specifically for them in the heart of the new community. The full development is scheduled for completion next year. What is shared home ownership? These are arrangements such as shared equity, leasehold or rent to buy in which a third party – usually a Community Housing Provider, including charitable trusts and Iwi Māori groups – contributes equity or land towards a customer's first home purchase, reducing the size of the deposit they need and the size of repayments. In the case of shared equity, the model used at Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau, the customer then pays the provider back their portion of equity at a manageable rate over time until they own the home outright. A key barrier for first home buyers is saving for the traditional 20% deposit to qualify for a home loan. Shared equity and leasehold arrangements can help buyers qualify for lending with as little as 5–10% deposit and a smaller loan to service, bringing home ownership and the benefits it provides closer within reach. At Ōwhata Kōhanga Rākau, a shared home ownership model is being used to support whānau with whakapapa (ancestral connection) to the Ōwhata and Rotorua area, helping them establish long-term security in a new home of their own. Westpac is able to provide standard residential home loans to customers participating in shared equity or leasehold arrangements.
Scoop
4 hours ago
- Scoop
Additional Funding To Attract 72,000 More Visitors To New Zealand
Press Release – New Zealand Government We want people to know New Zealand is open for business and we welcome visitors with open arms, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. Minister for Tourism and Hospitality A new $13.5 million investment in international tourism marketing is expected to deliver an extra 72,000 international visitors to our shores, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. 'The additional funding into Tourism New Zealand will drive international visitor numbers and will be targeted towards our core markets of Australia, the United States and China over the next few years' Louise Upston says. 'We know how important marketing is to attract visitors, with around 14 per cent of international holiday visitors directly influenced by Tourism New Zealand's marketing activity. 'This is the first investment in the Government's Tourism Growth Roadmap, which sets out a series of Government initiatives and investments for the Government and industry to work together to double the value of tourism exports by 2034. 'International visitors bring billions of dollars into the economy and these markets are the driving force behind our tourism sector. 'This investment is expected to generate around $300 million in spending, which is a very strong return on investment. International visitor numbers continue to climb and this boost will help drive further economic growth throughout the entire country. 'Encouraging more visitors means more people staying in our hotels, eating in our cafés, spending in our shops and visiting our attractions. This creates jobs and drives economic growth. 'We want people to know New Zealand is open for business and we welcome visitors with open arms.' Funding comes from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) for 2025/26.
Scoop
4 hours ago
- Scoop
3G Shutdown: What Devices Are Affected, And How To Upgrade
Article – RNZ Consumers are being urged to get ready ahead of the shutdown of 3G mobile networks from the end of the are being urged to get ready ahead of the shutdown of 3G mobile networks from the end of the year. Telecommunications Forum chief executive Paul Brislen said most New Zealanders were already using 4G or 5G-compatible devices and would not need to take any action. However anyone with a 3G-reliant phone or device may be affected, including tablets, medical alarms, security alarms, business equipment, vehicle trackers and other devices connected to the internet. 'The 3G shutdown is a positive step for our digital future, but it's important that anyone with 3G-reliant phones or devices checks now so they can stay connected,' Brislen said. Consumers can text '3G' to 550, free of charge, to check if their device will work after the 3G network was switched off. Spark announced it would close off its 3G network on 31 March, 2026 and was upgrading 3G-only cell towers to 4G and 5G technology. While affected customers would be receiving direct communication from Spark, it issued a list of common devices likely to be affected. iPhone 6 Huawei Y5 HMD Global Nokia 3310 Mobiwire SAS Pocket 2 Oppo A5 (AX5) Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro iPhone 5S Alcatel 1B Brislen said consumers who need to upgrade to a 4G or 5G compatible device should recycle their old handsets through recycling service RE:MOBILE at 'Mobile phones contain valuable materials that can be reused, as well as components that are harmful to the environment if sent to landfill.'
