Latest news with #RegionalEventsPromotionFund
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Far North festivals get boost from Government tourism funding
The Brew of Islands is among several local festivals set to receive a funding boost, along with the Upsurge Bay of Islands Arts Festival and the Fired-Up Barbecue Festival. The Far North is set to benefit from an injection of regional tourism funding, with the Government supporting local festivals through the Regional Events Promotion Fund. Northland MP Grant McCallum said the Government is encouraging more New Zealanders to visit Northland. 'I'm thrilled to see Northland included in this round
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Funding boost from govt for 19 southern events
The South has been awarded just under $400,000 to help fund 19 different events, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced last week. The government is driving economic growth in the regions by investing $2.6 million in 152 regional events across New Zealand. Mrs Upston said she was thrilled with the variety of exciting events on offer, encouraging more New Zealanders to enjoy and explore New Zealand beyond the main centres. Events to get money in the South include Warbirds Over Wanaka, which received $50,000, the Steampunk NZ Festival which got $10,000 while $39,750 had been given to the Challenge Wānaka Festival of Triathlon 2026. Challenge Wānaka was under pressure to hold its event this year because of a lack of entries but managed to go ahead. It received a boost earlier this month when the event in February would also double as the New Zealand middle distance triathlon championship, making it an official qualifying event for the 2026 World triathlon multisport championships. Mrs Upston said investing in these events had a direct impact, with visitors spending money in local cafes, businesses and accommodation providers, driving economic activity in communities. "By growing regional tourism, our remote and rural communities can benefit from the economic opportunities it brings,'' she said. Events were excellent drawcards to get more visitors into the regions, particularly in quieter parts of the year. "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 $5m Regional Events Promotion Fund, which has so far invested in 284 regional events. Funding recipients Clutha $10,000 to The Magnificent Adventure Race Enterprise Dunedin $8643 to 2025 Port Chalmers Seafood Festival $40,000 to 2026 New Zealand Masters Games $10,000 to Emersons Dunedin Marathon $30,000 to The Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival $25,000 to Wild Dunedin — NZ Festival of Nature Great South $16,000 to Burt Munro Challenge 2026 $20,000 to NZ Premier Motorsport Summer Series, Next Gen Round 4 $5000 to Rakiura Rhyme Machine Festival 2025 $22,000 to The Shepherdess Muster 2026 $30,000 to Tussock Country – NZ Country Music Festival 2026 Lake Wanaka Tourism $15,000 to Aspiring Conversations 2026 $39,750 to Challenge Wanaka Festival of Triathlon 2026 $15,000 to Merino Muster Ski Marathon $10,000 to NZ Mountain Film and Book festival $50,000 to Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow Tourism Central Otago $8643 to Alexandra Blossom Festival $14,000 to The 70th New Zealand GrandPrix — round 5 Tourism Waitaki $10,000 to Steampunk NZ Festival — APL
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Regional Events Fund Delivers Boost To Whanganui, Rangitīkei And Ruapehu
Article – Moana Ellis – Local Democracy Reporter Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said she was particularly pleased to support events in regions which traditionally did not see as many domestic tourists. Adventure races, festivals, cultural and sports events across the Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu districts will benefit from new Government investment. Funding from the contestable $5 million Regional Events Promotion Fund will support a range of local events aimed at attracting domestic visitors and driving economic activity in rural and regional areas. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said she was particularly pleased to support events in regions which traditionally did not see as many domestic tourists. 'Investing in these events has a direct impact, with visitors spending money in local cafes, businesses and accommodation providers,' Upston said. One of the new events coming to the regions is the Whakapapa Festival, a non-skiing event in the Ruapehu district in June 2026. Visit Ruapehu, Ruapehu district's regional tourism organisation, has won $81,850 to support five adventure and cultural events: $20,250 for Mardi Gras Ohakune, $13,000 for the Ring of Fire 2026 alpine races, $11,300 for The Goat Adventure Run, $12,300 for the Tussock Traverse 2026 and $25,000 for the Whakapapa Festival in 2026. Whanganui District Council will receive $115,500 for five key events: $17,500 for the Artist Open Studios art trail, $30,000 for the Cooks Classic athletics event, $15,000 for the HoopNation Junior Showcase basketball tournament, $40,000 for the Suzuki Series motorcycle event, and $13,000 for Whanganui Vintage Weekend. Rangitīkei District Council will receive $10,000 for two events: $5,000 for the Marton Country Music Festival and $5,000 for the Rangitīkei Adventure Race. These investments are part of a broader $2.6 million allocation from the fund's second round, supporting 152 events nationwide. The fund, established from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, aims to grow regional tourism and support local economies. 'By growing regional tourism, our remote and rural communities can benefit from the economic opportunities it brings,' Upston said. 'Events are excellent drawcards to get more visitors into our regions, particularly in quieter parts of the year for the tourism and hospitality sector.'
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Regional Events Fund Delivers Boost To Whanganui, Rangitīkei And Ruapehu
Adventure races, festivals, cultural and sports events across the Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu districts will benefit from new Government investment. Funding from the contestable $5 million Regional Events Promotion Fund will support a range of local events aimed at attracting domestic visitors and driving economic activity in rural and regional areas. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said she was particularly pleased to support events in regions which traditionally did not see as many domestic tourists. 'Investing in these events has a direct impact, with visitors spending money in local cafes, businesses and accommodation providers,' Upston said. One of the new events coming to the regions is the Whakapapa Festival, a non-skiing event in the Ruapehu district in June 2026. Visit Ruapehu, Ruapehu district's regional tourism organisation, has won $81,850 to support five adventure and cultural events: $20,250 for Mardi Gras Ohakune, $13,000 for the Ring of Fire 2026 alpine races, $11,300 for The Goat Adventure Run, $12,300 for the Tussock Traverse 2026 and $25,000 for the Whakapapa Festival in 2026. Whanganui District Council will receive $115,500 for five key events: $17,500 for the Artist Open Studios art trail, $30,000 for the Cooks Classic athletics event, $15,000 for the HoopNation Junior Showcase basketball tournament, $40,000 for the Suzuki Series motorcycle event, and $13,000 for Whanganui Vintage Weekend. Rangitīkei District Council will receive $10,000 for two events: $5,000 for the Marton Country Music Festival and $5,000 for the Rangitīkei Adventure Race. These investments are part of a broader $2.6 million allocation from the fund's second round, supporting 152 events nationwide. The fund, established from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, aims to grow regional tourism and support local economies. 'By growing regional tourism, our remote and rural communities can benefit from the economic opportunities it brings,' Upston said. 'Events are excellent drawcards to get more visitors into our regions, particularly in quieter parts of the year for the tourism and hospitality sector.'
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Hospitality Industry Welcomes $2.6 Million Investment In Regional Events
Press Release – Restaurant Association of NZ With a year-long outlook and a focus on supporting regional events, the Regional Events Promotion Fund is a positive step towards encouraging domestic tourism and bolstering regions and industry across Aotearoa. The Restaurant Association has welcomed the Government's investment of $2.6 million in 152 events through the second round of funding from the Regional Events Promotion Fund. 'Each of our regions have a unique food and beverage story that is vital to New Zealand's overall appeal as an international destination of choice.' says Marisa Bidois, Chief Executive of the Restaurant Association. 'From Northland's recognition in National Geographic's Best of the World 2025, to Hastings' nomination as a UNESCO city of gastronomy, it is clear that our regions being strong and resilient is a key part of maintaining our tourism brand on the global stage,' says Marisa. With a year-long outlook and a focus on supporting regional events, the Regional Events Promotion Fund is a positive step towards encouraging domestic tourism and bolstering regions and industry across Aotearoa. 'All events play a critical role in attracting visitors to our regions and bringing our town centres to life, however there are a number of investments supporting food and beverage specific events across the country over the coming year, which we are particularly proud to see.' Coupled with the Government's regional tourism boost, the Regional Events Promotion Fund gives regions an opportunity to shine and share their unique stories. 'We look forward to supporting our industry to make the most of these events over the coming year, and to put our regional food and beverage stories front and centre of our tourism offering as a country.' Note: The Restaurant Association is the link between good food, and good business. It supports New Zealand's diverse and creative hospitality businesses to deliver first class experiences to diners. Since its humble beginnings in 1972, it has worked to offer advice, help and assistance in every facet of the vibrant and diverse hospitality industry. The organisation now represents, advocates and cheerleads for more than 2500 hospitality businesses within New Zealand. It offers 24/7 advice and assistance on key industry issues, from property lease advice to wellness in the workplace. The Association provides its members with industry-wide accreditation programs which set best practice standards and help them measure how they're tracking. It also works in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development to deliver the Hospostart and Springboard training programmes.
