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 2021 funding rounds. Applications for event funding will only be considered during the October or April funding rounds.
| APPLICATION WINDOW OPEN | OUTCOME COMMUNICATED | EVENT DATES | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 October 2021 – 1 November 2021 | Mid December 2021 | 1 February 2022 – 1 August 2022 | Open |
| 1 April 2022 – 1 May 2022 | Mid June 2022 | 1 August 2022 – 1 February 2023 |
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 ChristchurchNZ 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
80% of funding will be available at time of confirmation of funding.
20% within 2 weeks of completion of the event post-event criteria
- Mackenzie Regional Events Fund Application Form (Word)
- Mackenzie Regional Events Fund Application Form (PDF)
- Mackenzie Regional Event Fund Application Guidelines
- Mackenzie Regional Event Fund Terms & Conditions
