The purpose of the Te Tauihu Regional Event Fund is to stimulate the local economy by driving out of region visitation through multi-day events that support and leverage local industry strengths. In addition, the fund aims to celebrate the community, build excellence into event management, and minimize waste at events.

In September 2020 MBIE announced a $50 million Regional Events Fund designed to drive domestic tourism and travel between regions through holding events. The fund is intended to support the tourism and events sector following COVID-19 border closures in attempts to replace some of the lost spend usually generated by international visitors. 

The Te Tuaihu region which includes Nelson Tasman and Marlborough was allocated $1.5 million for the facilitation and funding of events over the next 4.5 years. The fund is now open and event organisers can apply by submitting an Expression of Interest below.

Submissions will be reviewed by the Event Investment Panel (EIP) according to the event location in Te Tauihu. Representatives on the EIP from Nelson Tasman will review Nelson Tasman event submissions, and representatives from Marlborough will review Marlborough event submissions.

Submissions to the Regional Event Fund are currently closed for the Nelson Tasman area.

Te Tauihu Cycling Events and Activities Strategy

The Strategy was commissioned by the Te Tauihu Regional Events Fund Panel with a view to enhancing the long-term sustainability of cycling events in the region and realising the benefits from such events and activities. The research was conducted by the Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA) in conjunction with Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL). Implementation of the strategy will be led by a regional stakeholder steering group which will be supported by the Nelson Regional Development Agency. Funding for this work was provided by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment via their Regional Events Fund.

Read the strategy here

Frequently Asked Questions

The purpose of the Te Tuaihu Regional Events Fund is to stimulate the local economy by driving out of region visitation through multi-day events, that also support and leverage local industry strengths. Also, the fund aims to celebrate the community, build excellence into event management, and minimise waste at events. The Te Tauihu Regional Events Fund includes the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions.

You are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to rebecca.leach@nelsontasman.nz if your event is in Nelson Tasman or samantha.young@marlborough.govt.nz for Marlborough events. Applications will be accepted and reviewed throughout the year by the Event Investment Panel, who meet bimonthly. If your EOI is progressed, you will be contacted about the next steps in the application process.

Yes, however, MBIE requires collaboration not competition between regions, therefore you will not be able to competitively bid between regions to secure your event.

Yes, you can still apply; however, it is unlikely you will receive funding from more than one fund. This is to ensure duplication of MBIE funding is kept to a minimum and support is given to a wide range of events.

Yes, you can still apply, you will need to outline any government funding you have secured on the ‘List other sources of funding and sponsorship for your event’ section on your EOI.

Sorry no, the purpose of the Te Tauihu Regional Events Fund is to stimulate the economy by encouraging ‘out of region visitation’ (that is, travel from one region to another or within the same region but 50km or more from their home). Community events aim to target a local audience (that is, those that would not be travelling more than 50km from their home). 

Your EOI will be assessed against a range of criteria:

• The event must attract visitors from outside of the Te Tauihu region
• The event must collaborate rather than compete with existing events across Te Tauihu
• The event must fall into at least one of the following focus areas;

(a) business events which leverage the regions industry strengths in aviation, forestry, the oceans economy, food and beverage or health,

(b) food and beverage events,

(c) sporting events or

(d) arts and cultural events

• The event must be multi-day or able to build up to a multi-day event
• The panel will also take the following factors into consideration;

(a) climate change mitigation,

(b) alignment with regional priorities,

(c) economic impact,

(d) community wellbeing,

(e) local pride,

(f) waste management and sustainability practices

Yes absolutely, please submit an EOI even if you are unsure if it falls into one of the focus areas.

Yes, you can still submit an EOI. You will be required to confirm your event date and venue if your EOI is progressed.

No sorry, your event should not commence until your funding has been approved, and must take place after 1 July 2021.

Your EOI will be reviewed by the Event Investment Panel against the Te Tauihu Regional Events Fund Criteria. The Event Investment Panel includes representatives from Tasman District Council, Nelson City Council, Marlborough District Council, Nelson Regional Development Agency, and Destination Marlborough. The role of the Event Investment Panel is to review EOI and funding applications against the Te Tauihu Regional Events Fund criteria. The Panel has a broad range of expertise and experience in tourism and events and will work collaboratively in the planning and delivery of the Te Tauihu Regional Events Fund.

Yes, you do. Please ensure you have read and understand the Event Sector Voluntary Code.

You shouldn't expend your total Te Tauihu Regional Events Fund funding when budgeting and planning your event. The Event Investment Panel will need to see the event you’re planning is sustainable long-term and beyond the availability of Te Tauihu Regional Events Fund.

Multiyear funding is available over four years, with funds being released both pre and post-event. Funding agreements will be established once your event details and plans are finalised.

We are required by MBIE to report on all events that have received Te Tauihu Regional Events Fund. At this stage we don’t know if your event details will be made public, however, it is likely you could be listed on their website given the Te Tauihu Regional Events Fund is Central Government Funding.

You will be required to report on your event, as we are required to report to MBIE on all events that have received the Te Tauihu Regional Events Fund. Your reporting requirements will be discussed once your EOI is progressed and will be outlined in your funding agreement.

For more information on the Regional Events Fund for events taking place in Nelson Tasman please contact:

Rebecca Leach, Events Lead
Nelson Regional Development Agency
rebecca.leach@nelsontasman.nz
027 577 7158

For more information on the Regional Events Fund for events taking place in Marlborough please contact:

Samantha Young, Regional Events Advisor
Marlborough District Council
samantha.young@marlborough.govt.nz
03 520 7400

Download the form

Expression of Interest

About the REF

MBIE

Event Sector Voluntary Code

Find Out More

Business Events

See More

Major Events

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