Funding

Christchurch businesses impacted by Covid-19 have just been given a $200,000 leg-up by Christchurch NZ via a new business support subsidy.

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones is looking at how the Provincial Growth Fund can be repurposed for initiatives deemed more critical to fighting the economic impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Some lenders are still reluctant to support operators despite the 80% Govt guarantee scheme, says the association.

Leading tourism industry stakeholders have broadly welcomed the Government’s $12.1bn economic package, although voiced concern that crucial parts of the sector are still “hanging on by a thread”.

Otago’s Dunedin Prison will commence further restoration work in the coming months following a $100,000 grant from the Otago Community Trust.

Hamilton City Council’s $360,000 Major Events Sponsorship Fund is opening for applications on Monday 2 March.

GO Rentals, Mahu City Express, and the Twin Coast Discovery tourist route will benefit.

Whangarei District Council has launched a fund to foster and celebrate new events.

The level of funding for Tourism New Zealand and the Government’s other tourism work will be announced on Thursday 14 May.

Applications have opened for the $7m Regional Culture and Heritage Fund available to performing arts venues, galleries, museums and whare taonga.

Heritage buildings throughout New Zealand will benefit from $1.1m in Heritage EQUIP funding grants.

The Productivity Commission has stepped back from its support of local bed taxes to help pay for infrastructure in tourism hotspots – a recommendation included in its draft report in July.

The tourism industry is claiming a win following the release of the Productivity Commission report into Local Government Funding and Financing, which sees it drop its support for local bed taxes.

The government has announced $12bn of new investment, $8bn for specific capital projects.

The cash will go towards 36 projects with the single biggest grant being almost $4m for Ruapehu District Council.

The council wants to ditch its $45m upgrade plan claiming a full redevelopment is required.

Tourism operators have contributed around $750,000 to ChristrchurchNZ’s new campaign to attract young domestic visitors to the city.

Tourism New Zealand has started talks with government boost its $111m annual budget.

The Government will inject $12m into the Waikato Regional Theatre project, courtesy of the Provincial Growth Fund.

Strong growth in domestic and international visitor spend in The Coromandel reached $496m, according to Destination Coromandel’s 2019 Annual Report.

Shotover Jet, Black Cat Cruises, and Explore Group are among the recipients of the govt cash.

Milford Sound Tourism could collect $30 a day from each visiting car following the introduction of a $10 per hour charge at its main carpark.

The NZTA has approved $14m in funding for walking and cycling improvements at the Wakatipu Basin.

Rafting NZ will use the money to train up to 20 new river guides for its Tongariro River business.

Around $3.7m has so far been taken for the IVL through the new travel authority, says Immigration NZ.

The O’Donnell family’s HW Richardson Group and Distinction Hotel Group founder Geoff Thompson have both pledged up to $25m each for the multi-million dollar overhaul of Invercargill’s CBD.

A $12m Provincial Growth Fund injection for the Sarjeant Gallery is set to “put Whanganui on the map as a vibrant cultural hub” according to Fletcher Tabuteau.

Nelson mayor Rachel Reese says the council will spend its $256k funding on its camping education programme, a temporary toilet and washroom hub, increased facilities for campers’ waste management, and a user survey.

Technology pilots providing improved information to freedom campers, as well education, enforcement and temporary camping facilities are all measures that will be funded this summer as efforts to support responsible camping continue.

The IVL cash will go towards tracks and infrastructure around Fox Glacier as well as alternative experiences.

The West Coast tourism industry has described the government’s injection of $3.9m into the region as “a fantastic opportunity for Fox Glacier”.

Tourism-related projects secure almost $600k from the Government’s Low Emission’s Vehicles Contestable Fund.

The cash will go towards the first phase of Paeroa’s Historical Maritime Park Marine development.

Initiatives at Milford, Arthur’s Pass, Westland and Tongariro are among the schemes to get funding from the new levy.

The cash will go towards the attraction’s $55m redevelopment plan.

Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari and Dolphin Planet have provided the money.

Round four of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund will open for applications this Thursday 1 August 2019.

Trading has resumed this morning in Tourism Holdings’ ordinary shares following a halt yesterday for a shortfall bookbuild.

Invercargill Airport will get $500,000 for upgrades.

The cash includes $1.1m for restoring the Mauri of Matapouri Beach as well as $539,000 for a new carpark and toilets at Whangārei’s Abbey Caves.

A total of $12m of government funding has been divvied up between 25 councils in the latest round of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

Bay of Islands Tours is the latest recipient of Top Energy’s $30,000 Business Development Fund.

Councils should be able to use accommodation levies to help fund infrastructure, says a new report.

Hamilton City Council has allocated $8.5m for capital works in FY19 on its three main attractions – Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton Zoo and the museum – according to its latest annual plan.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa is calling for local government to receive a 20% share of the $1.7bn in GST paid by international visitors, claiming it is the “most effective, efficient and fairest approach” to regional funding.

TIA’s chief executive “puts the public record straight” on the association’s position on funding for tourism. 

Charlie Ives, executive officer of Regional Tourism New Zealand, says calls for GST earned by tourism to be returned to the sector are muddying the waters when it comes to funding.

Destination Queenstown chief executive Graham Budd is “relieved and pleased” after winning support from members for a proposed funding boost that will add $900,000 to the organisation’s coffers.

Destination Queentown has won the support of its members to seek a 25% funding increase.

Operators also facing a possible bed tax could stymie the RTO’s plan to boost its funding in tomorrow’s vote.