Te Tauihu Regional Event Fund Now Open

Posted on Tuesday 4 May 2021

The Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA), Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council, Destination Marlborough, and Marlborough District Council are excited to announce the opening of the Te Tauihu (Top of the South) Regional Event Fund. The fund, which has been allocated to the region by MBIE to mitigate the effects of COVID 19, aims to stimulate out-of-region visitation and increased visitor spend, helping to fill the gap from international visitor markets due to COVID-19 and the border closure.

The focus of the Te Tauihu Regional Event Fund is to drive out of region visitation through major events that support and leverage local industry strengths and maximise the existing competitive advantages of all three regions. Event managers and organisers will have the opportunity to use the fund to expand existing events or develop new events. A wide range of events will be considered for funding over a four-year period.

Applications for the Te Tauihu Regional Event Fund can be made by expression of interest, which will be reviewed bimonthly against the Te Tauihu Regional Event Fund Criteria. Key components of the criteria include events attracting out of region visitors, not competing with other events in the region, be multiday, and fall into one of the regions focus areas - business events, food and beverage events, sporting events, and arts and cultural events.

“Events stimulate domestic tourism and are a key component of the both the NRDA and Destination Marlborough destination management plans. The tourism sector contributes approx. 10% of the Nelson region’s economy and employment which is about 45% higher than the New Zealand average” said NRDA Interim Chief Executive Toni Power

In the 2019/2020 financial year, events in Nelson City alone attracted over 20,000 out-of-town attendees and with this additional investment, the visitor numbers for the city will likely double. The investment across Te Tauihu will benefit all three regions as visitors traveling through each region will be encouraged to stay longer and explore across the region. New inter-regional events will also be encouraged.

Destination Marlborough General Manager Jacqui Lloyd said events celebrate all that is ‘brilliant’ about Marlborough – they encourage the community and visitors to celebrate which delivers economic, social, and cultural benefits to Marlborough. “Events have a strong capacity to reflect Marlborough’s unique selling point as a desirable region to live, work and play,” she said.

NRDA Events Lead Rebecca Leach says” Events are vital for our region to thrive. They support wellbeing, create a sense of belonging, and build community pride. They also create positive economic impact for a multitude of businesses in the region.”

The MBIE regional funding allocation of $1.5m to Te Tauihu will be led by the Nelson Regional Development Agency but managed collaboratively by representatives from Marlborough, Nelson, and Tasman, who have a broad range of experience in the tourism and events sectors.

To submit an expression of interest and for more information on the Te Tauihu Regional Event Fund, visit: https://www.nelsontasman.nz/meet/event-funding/regional-event-funding/

For more information, please contact Rebecca Leach, Events Lead, Nelson Regional Development Agency rebecca.leach@nelsontasman.nz