STAPP

The Auditor General’s Report on the Strategic Tourism Asset Protection Programme confirmed that this Labour government has been biased and unfair, says National tourism spokesperson Todd McClay.

All New Zealanders need to be concerned about the “crazed lolly scramble” that was the STAPP, says an operator.

John Ryan raises concerns about the $290m programme’s criteria, assessment process, and transparency.

MBIE’s tourism policy team has commissioned an evaluation of the tourism targetted packages created in 2020 and 2021.

The Office of the Auditor-General is slated to publish its report on the Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme in 2Q of this year, according to a spokesperson at the public watchdog.

A $400k STAPP grant is the only reason the attraction is open, says MD Simon Short.

One tourism group secures $30m in loans and grants from the programme.

The ministry appears to have provided advice to ministers on only two of the three tourism businesses.

MBIE said it was satisfied with the process “given the pace and urgency in which it was delivered”.

Support packages awarded to a select number of predominantly large tourist operators were “totally biased and very unjust”.

The tourism minister says the Auditor-General is the right person to conduct the inquiry.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa has welcome the Auditor-General’s inquiry into the Government’s Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme.

John Ryan says he was prompted to act by concerns raised by operators and the amount of public funding involved.

By region, Otago, Bay of Plenty and Canterbury secure the most money from the programme.

Tak Mutu’s MDA Experiences is the penultimate operator to secure funding from the programme.

The new tourism minister says he wants to move forward rather than look back at how funding was allocated.

Lawyer Andy Glenie says new tourism minister Stuart Nash should reconsider how best to support all tourism businesses.

The operators are the latest to receive the maximum $500k grant from the programme. 

Both operators would each receive the maximum $500,000 through the programme. 

The tourism businesses are the latest to have their STAPP support confirmed.

A group considering legal action label the tourism minister’s response to their concerns “disappointing, disrespectful”.

Highlands Motorsport Park at Cromwell, Wilsons Abel Tasman National Park Limited, and Huka Prawn Park near Taupō are the latest attractions to have secured Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme funding.

But it also saw Govt more than double the number of ITOs it initially planned to support.

Seven tourism operations owned by the Queenstown-based group have each received the maximum $500k grant.

More than three-quarters of successful applicants have had their grants officially confirmed.

Te Puia, Southern Discoveries, and INFLITE are among the latest batch of operators to have had their grants revealed.

Newly released documents paint a picture of a confused, rushed process with big gaps.

Black Cat Cruises, Fuller Great Sights and Polynesian Spa are among the latest operators to have grants confirmed.

However, the wait for any reallocated funds could be months away.

Successful STAPP applicants and inbound tour operators will be able to access the cheap debt.

Both large and small tourism business owners have secured multiple grants for different operations.

Three of the operator’s tourism businesses will be brought out of hibernation.

Tourism minister Kelvin Davis has defended the Government’s support for AJ Hackett Bungy NZ under questioning in Parliament.

The Govt’s exclusion of ITOs from receiving STAPP grants is devastating and will slow recovery, say operators.

The minister justifies his STAPP decisions and says those who missed out must assess their “long-term viability”.

It was “not a suitable fit”, says one of the country’s top visitor attractions.

From large aquariums to cycle rentals, both well-known and relatively obscure businesses have secured STAPP support.

The Govt also unveiled a $20m loan facility for ITOs and a $50m events fund.

Dunedin City Holdings has applied to the Government’s Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme for assets including the Taieri Gorge line.

The funding consists of a $5m grant in the first year followed by a $5m loan, if required.

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern and tourism minister Kelvin Davis are visiting Queenstown on Friday.

More than 300 businesses have applied for support from the Government’s Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme.

Operators have until 5pm today to get their applications in for support from the Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme.

Around 60 operators are now expected to be helped by the Government’s Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme, says Kelvin Davis.

The funding follows the $4m announced for Tourism Holdings’ Discover Waitomo.