Restaurant Association welcomes events boost

The Restaurant Association is welcoming the $70 million investment announced by the Government to boost major events and tourism projects. This investment will provide a much-needed injection into the New Zealand economy and deliver a vital boost for our hospitality businesses currently navigating some of the toughest trading conditions in years.

The package, announced on Sunday 14 September, includes:

a $40 million Events Attraction Package to secure large-scale international events from 2026.
a $10 million Events Boost Fund to support existing events and attract international opportunities.
a $10 million Regional Tourism Boost Campaign to incentivise international visitors.

What the investment means for hospitality

The Restaurant Association welcomes the investment, which aims to attract more large-scale events to New Zealand, allowing us to better compete with Australia and other international markets. As a result, this will help support local jobs, stimulate economic activity, and bring vibrancy back to city centres and tourism hotspots.

Importantly, major events create vital flow-on effects, filling restaurants, bars and cafes with domestic and international visitors and with our industry currently facing rising costs and reduced consumer spending, this funding provides much-needed stimulus to drive foot traffic. This is exactly the kind of support our industry needs right now. From global sporting tournaments, to major concerts, these events bring diners and economic activity to struggling city centres.

Regional tourism to also receive a boost

In addition, the Regional Tourism Boost marketing campaign fund is a welcome boost to support regions to attract more international visitors to travel, stay and dine in New Zealand in 2026.

Looking ahead, the Association looks forward to working alongside event organisers and government partners to ensure that hospitality businesses can fully capitalise on the opportunities this funding unlocks.

Further details about the $10 million events boost fund

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Applications are now open, and will close 5pm, 30 September 2025. Decisions will be made by late October 2025.

Who can apply: Event organisers/owners, Promoters, Venues, National sporting organizations, Local government event entities

Requirements:

Event delivery must begin by 31 December 2026
Demonstrate international visitor appeal and positive economic outcomes
Be financially viable with diversified revenue (not underwrite funding) Include local government contribution of at least 25% of total public investment (cash or in-kind)
All applicants must provide a letter of support from the relevant local government entity responsible for oversight of local event activity.
- The letter could be from:
- A Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO)
- Economic Development Agency (EDA)

The letter of support must confirm the cash and in-kind contributions made at the local level towards the event. Local government contributions must equate to at least 25% of the total public investment. For example if total public investment is $1 million, then at least $250,000 of that to be from local government, with Event Boost Fund investment being no more than $750,000.

Funding can be used for: content programming, resources, international marketing (non-sports events) core delivery costs, resources, international marketing (sports events).

Not eligible:

Concerts that have already been announced for New Zealand.
Free mass participation events, unless the applicant can demonstrate a robust approach to measure domestic and international participation.
A&P shows.
Craft markets, farmers markets.
Santa parades.
Conferences, school events, university events, reunions.
Domestic touring music concerts and festivals.
Major commercial sporting events such as regularly scheduled cricket and rugby fixtures.

Funding priorities:

Events that will begin delivery by 30 June 2026.
Multi-day or multi-region, and/or multi-disciplinary events.
Concerts that feature content that is exclusive to New Zealand.
Event clusters that collectively deliver Fund objectives for maximum impact. Events that have the capability and capacity to accommodate international attendees and deliver a quality product that aligns with New Zealand’s event hosting reputation.

Assessment: Applications will be assessed by an Evaluation Panel (MBIE, NZEA, Tourism NZ, Ministry for Culture & Heritage, Sport NZ) with recommendations to the Minister. Successful applicants will be required to agree measurable outcomes and provide post-event reporting.

Apply now and access templates on the MBIE website:

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/immigration-and-tourism/tourism/tourism-funding/events-boost-fund We encourage all eligible organisers to review the criteria and consider applying. This is a valuable opportunity to elevate your events, attract more international visitors, and deliver lasting benefits for our sector and for Aotearoa.

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