The Government’s Regional Events Fund (REF) has supported two major events in the Manawatū region as part of the Government’s Tourism Recovery Package. The fund was made available to Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) to stimulate inter and intra-regional visitation through funding events that will encourage expenditure missed by international visitor markets.

To apply for the fund, the event organisers must submit a proposal that demonstrates their event satisfies the following criteria as set by Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

• Stimulate Domestic Tourism: The event organiser will need to set out how funding will be used to stimulate inter and intra-regional visitation. This could include helping MBIE/RTNZ to understand the context, events strategies, existing capability, infrastructure and target markets. It could include the types of events that will be funded and whether they are existing or new events.
• Feasibility and Visibility: MBIE wants to ensure that events that are funded are likely to be successful in attracting out of region visitors, including by having the supporting events supply chain.
• Collaborate, not compete: The REF cannot be used to take an existing event from one region and move it to another region.

Manawatū was allocated $375,000 and has so far funded the following events:

Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman international hockey - $20,000

This was the first international hockey series in New Zealand since March 2020 between the New Zealand and Australia in 8 tests during 27 May to 2 June 2021.

New Zealand AgriFood Week (NZAFW) - $25,000

CEDA’s 2021 NZAFW event is a highlight of the Manawatū agrifood community dedicated to celebrating and showcasing excellence in agrifood tech and innovation, inspiring the next generation of scientists, innovators, farmers and change agents during 3-9 May 2021.

For more information on the fund please click here