Government aims to attract major events, announces $70m package

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (left) and Tourism Minister Louise Upston, pictured at Auckland International Airport in an earlier media opportunity. Photo / NZME

The Government has announced a $70 million events package to attract more events to New Zealand.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Tourism Minister Louise Upston announced the funding on Sunday.

“Major events, whether they are sports showdowns, the world’s most popular artists or well-loved favourites, can be a bonanza for the cities and regions which host them, supporting local jobs and incomes in the hospitality and retail sectors and beyond,” Upston said.

She cited figures showing that over the last three years, 14 Auckland shows (including Coldplay and Pearl Jam) generated $33.7 million for the local economy with 490,000 attendees.

The Government’s third-quarter action plan promised a major events fund.

This fund will be paid for by taxpayers and is currently a one-off. The Government has come under pressure from Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown to allow Auckland to bring in a bed night levy on visitors, which would raise funds to pay for attracting major events.

The $70m injection comprises $40m to attract “large-scale international events from 2026” and a $10m “Events Boost Fund” to support existing events and attract international opportunities.

There is also a $10m regional tourism campaign to attract more international visitors and a $10m fund to upgrade tourism infrastructure including cycle trails.

“Major events boost regional economies and give Kiwis and overseas visitors something to anticipate and celebrate,” Upston said.

“This $70 million events and tourism investment package is about energising the events sector,” she said.

Of that, about $45m is new funding, $25 is existing funding that has been repurposed.

She said that level of funding puts New Zealand on a par with Queensland.

“Today’s announcement is also significant for local communities and local government. Communities up and down New Zealand benefit hugely from events, and it’s important that local government is also involved in supporting activity in their regions with resources, in cash or in kind,” Upston said.

Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges welcomed the investment.

“Events are an important driver of jobs and growth for Auckland’s regional economy,” he said.

“They bring in people from across New Zealand and overseas who spend and contribute in ways that simply wouldn’t have happened otherwise. Our bars, cafes, restaurants, retail, and accommodation providers all benefit and all badly need this stimulus in our city,” he said.

Bridges said the announcement showed the Government could help the city without a bed levy.

“As today’s decision shows, direct investment from Wellington can do the trick. The package will also provide for regional tourism promotion and even infrastructure upgrades, which makes it a very positive step forward for Auckland and New Zealand as a whole,” Bridges said.