Three major events in Tairāwhiti have secured just over $95,000 from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s new Regional Events Promotion fund.
The Longline Classic, First Light Marathon and NZ Surf Life Saving Championships were among the 132 events across the country that will receive a total of $2.375 million from the first funding round.
The Regional Events Promotion Fund will provide $5m over two years to support regional event promotion to the domestic market. The contestable fund was open to Regional Tourism Organisations (RTO) or local councils not represented by an RTO.
Trust Tairāwhiti put forward the successful application as the RTO.
Longline Classic will receive $41,200 towards the music festival, which will be held at the Gisborne Sound Shell on 26 October. The one-day festival features headliners Tiki Taane, Daily J, Che Fu and Soaked Oats.
The First Light Marathon adventure running race will receive $20,000 to stage the event in Gisborne on 25 January next year. The course covers spectacular coastline and steep hills, offering marathon, half-marathon and 6km distance options.
The annual New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships will receive $34,000 for the event at Midway Beach in March next year. About 3000 competitors, officials and supporters are expected at the Gisborne event.
Trust Tairāwhiti Regional Destination Manager Holly Hatzilamprou said it was positive to see the Government investing in the smaller regions.
“The fund aims to encourage visitors to explore New Zealand beyond the key tourism locations, and backing the promotion of regional events is a great way of achieving that.
“As the RTO, we’re grateful to have secured this level of investment in high-calibre events in Tairāwhiti.”