The government has unveiled a $70 million funding boost to energise New Zealand’s events and tourism industries, providing fresh resources to attract international acts, support current events, and promote visitor growth in regional areas.
The package features a $40 million Events Attraction Fund to secure major international events starting in 2026; a $10 million Events Boost Fund to support ongoing events and attract global opportunities; a $10 million Regional Tourism Boost Campaign to lure international visitors; and up to $10 million allocated for upgrading tourism infrastructure.
“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,” Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said.
“The investment will allow New Zealand to compete with Australia to host big acts and will give international visitors even more reasons to come and explore New Zealand, while also encouraging Kiwis to get out and about.”
Upston highlighted Auckland’s recent achievement of hosting 14 major concerts in the last three years, featuring acts like Coldplay and Pearl Jam.
The said events contributed $33.7 million to the local economy.
Tourism ranked as the country’s second-largest export earner, adding approximately $17 billion to GDP.
This also provides Kiwis with nearly 200,000 jobs.