Events Fund

Regional Events Fund

The Regional Events Fund ($47.75 million) is designed to stimulate domestic tourism and travel between regions through holding events. This is intended to support the tourism and events sector and replace some of the spend from international tourists as a result of COVID-19.

The fund is available to the nine International Marketing Alliance (IMA) groupings of the Regional Tourism Organisations (RTO’s). The Canterbury & West Coast IMA (Christchurch, Timaru, Mackenzie, Hurunui, West Coast and Kaikōura) have been allocated $7 million over a 2-4-year timeframe.

The purpose of the Regional Events Fund (REF) is to stimulate inter and intra-regional visitation through funding events that will encourage expenditure missed by international visitor markets.

The Mackenzie Regional Event fund is a twice-yearly contestable fund.

Refer to the following timeline for 2023 funding round.

Application Window Open	Outcome Communicated	Event Dates	Status
29 April – 26 May 2024	June 2024	1 July 2024 – 31 June 2025	Open

Twizel Salmon & Wine Festival

Mackenzie Half Marathon

Meridian Twizel Hard Labour

How to apply for funding support

Before you apply please make sure to read the  Mackenzie Regional Event Fund Application Guidelines to ensure you fully understand the eligibility requirements and the assessment criteria.
Accept and agree to the Mackenzie Regional Event Fund Terms and Conditions.
Prepare the required information including supporting documents; and the Mackenzie Regional Events Fund Application Form.

Applications

Applicants can register expressions of interest all year round. Applicant support is provided as appropriate, via the Mackenzie Event Development office.

On receipt of applications

Applications for funding will be assessed by the Mackenzie Regional Event Fund Independent Panel (MREFIP). Events will undergo a due diligence assessment prior to any referral to the Mackenzie Regional Events Fund Investment Panel (MREFIP). The MREFIP is made up of representatives from within the Mackenzie region and includes an independent member with event industry knowledge from outside of the region. This panel will recommend the allocation of the funds and then all investment recommendations are reviewed by Mackenzie District Council for final approval and contracting.

Successful applicants

Once funding has been approved, all successful applicants will receive a funding agreement. This is a formal contract which outlines what is expected of event organisers and the amount of funding the MREFIP is granting.  The funding agreement will also outline the post-event reporting requirements for event organisers.

Issuing funding

An agreed percentage of funding will be available at the time of confirmation of funding. The final percentage will be paid within two weeks of completion of the event post-event criteria.

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