Waikato tourism sector shows growth and resilience, celebrates events funding
'Events remain a cornerstone of our visitor strategy, a key reason for manuhiri [visitors] to head to the mighty Waikato,' Greenwell said.
After Waikato was initially excluded from the first round of the Regional Events Promotion Fund, Hamilton and Waikato Tourism successfully lobbied to be included in round two.
'For Waipa and Waikato district events to secure over $250,000 in funding was a definite win for the individual events, the district and the wider region.'
Among the events receiving funding were Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, Fieldays, Equifest, Whangamatā Half Marathon, National Waka Ama Sprint Championships 2026 and Motofest.
Port Waikato MP Andrew Bayly said he was happy to see Hampton Downs' Motofest receiving funding.
Among the events receiving funding from the Regional Events Promotion Fund was Motofest. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer
'This is a stand-out event on our local calendar that brings motorsport fans to the region, supports local businesses, and showcases what makes north Waikato such a great destination.'
Waipā District Mayor Susan O'Regan said the funding was also a 'big win for Waipā' as the district focused on creating vibrant and connected communities.
'These events ... give our community something to celebrate and enjoy together.
'It's not just about continuing our flagship events but also expanding into new ones that strengthen our place on the national events calendar.'
Hamilton and Waikato Tourism chief executive Nicola Greenwell.
The Regional Events Promotion Fund was a contestable fund over two financial years to support regions in hosting local events attracting domestic tourists.
The fund was established using $5 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy ($2.375m for round one and $2.652m for round two).
In total, 284 regional events were supported.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said she was 'thrilled' with the variety of events.
Fieldays 2025 held at Mystery Creek near Hamilton is the largest agricultural show in the southern hemisphere. 12 June 2025 New Zealand Herald photograph by Mike Scott
'Investing in these events has a direct impact, with visitors spending money in local cafes, businesses and accommodation providers, driving economic activity in our communities.
'Events are excellent drawcards to get more visitors into our regions, particularly in quieter parts of the year for the tourism and hospitality sector.'
Upston said last week the controversial Everyone Must Go campaign had been a success, exceeding its target of bringing 6750 additional Australians to New Zealand over autumn.
She said nearly 8000 extra Australian visitors had pumped an estimated $22m into the economy – $5m more than was initially targeted.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Tourism Minister Louise Upston talk to media about the announcement to pump another $13.5 million into international tourism marketing. Photo / Dean Purcell
Greenwell said while the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment data was only available up until May this year, there had been a small increase in visitor spending in the Waikato region in May compared with the year before.
'We're encouraged by the success of Tourism New Zealand's Everyone Must Go campaign in the Australian market.
'With Waikato featuring as part of wider regional storytelling, this campaign supports international recovery by reigniting interest in our unique offerings – particularly our natural landscapes, cultural experiences, and growing food and wine scene.'
Greenwell said reintroducing international direct flights from Sydney and Coolangatta to Hamilton had also added 'hype'.
'Hotel developments under way and announced couldn't come soon enough. We know these beds will be keenly sought after by groups travelling and events in particular.'
The inaugural Jetstar international flights arrives in Hamilton from Sydney. Photo / Stephen Barker, Barker Photography
Meanwhile, the results of the impact of the Thermal Explorer Regional Events Fund, which was set up after the Covid-19 pandemic, have been released recently.
The final 48 events supported by the fund were completed in April this year.
The 'economic impact assessment' revealed the $3.75m fund had generated $220m for communities in the Thermal Explorer regions of Waikato, Rotorua, Taupō and Ruapehu.
The events it supported catered for a total audience of 532,468 people, including 249,909 visitors from outside the regions the events were hosted in.
'One of the purposes of the fund was to stimulate domestic visitation so it's a real testament to its success that around half of the people who attended the events it funded came from out of the region,' Greenwell said.
Popular funded events included the Middle-earth Half Marathon in Hobbiton, the inaugural ITM Taupō Super400 motorsport event, the New Zealand Blues and BBQ Festival in Rotorua and the Ohakune Blues and Roots Festival.
'Not only has the funding brought some entirely new events to our communities ... but it has also helped build local capability, creating a legacy that will last for decades.'
Waikato events supported by the Regional Events Promotion Fund
$10,000 to Australasian Open 2026 (disc golf)
$10,000 to Campsaver Motorhome Show
$30,000 to Equifest
$20,000 to Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
$13,550 to Motomania
$12,500 to Pillar to Pou
$20,000 to Taupo Historic GP
$5500 to New Zealand Women's Surfing Festival 2026
$6000 to Whangamatā Half Marathon
$5000 to Wings and Wheels
$7314 to Karioi Classic 2025
$5350 to Raglan Country & Blues Festival 2025
$50,000 to Fieldays
$10,000 to National Waka Ama Sprint Championships 2026
$25,000 to Night of Champions
$20,000 to NZ Boat, Fish and Dive Expo
$25,000 to NZMCA Motorhome, Caravan & Leisure Show
$20,000 to Sika Show
$30,000 to Summernats NZ
$9,000 to Motofest
$25,000 to NextGen Round 1 – Hampton Downs
$25,000 to NextGen Round 2 – Hampton Downs
The full list of funding recipients of funding from the Regional Events Promotion Fund is available on the MBIE website.
– Additional reporting by Tom Raynel and Tom Rose
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
Rotorua Lawyer Warns MBIE Mediation Backlog Is Costing Businesses
A more than two-month delay for Government mediation services is costing businesses time and productivity as they wait to resolve employment issues, a Rotorua-based specialist employment lawyer says. Dealing with an employment issue can be a costly and time-consuming exercise for both a business and staff member, but not dealing with it effectively and efficiently could cost both parties even more, workplace law barrister, Michelle Urquhart, says. This is what local businesses are facing with the current nine-week wait for the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment's (MBIE) free mediation service. 'Having to wait more than two months for mediation – which is meant to be an early intervention service – is far from ideal in the current economic environment,' Mrs Urquhart says. 'Workplace issues can do a great deal of damage to a public or private organisation, and they don't tend to fix themselves. A dispute will initially impact the people directly involved, but it doesn't take long for it to start impacting wider teams, productivity, morale and ultimately, the bottom line. 'Getting on top of the concern early, having calm conversations, and developing a resolution plan that works for everyone is critical to moving forward before too much damage is done. Mediation is often key to the success of this.' Mrs Urquhart says mediation is an invaluable tool to help resolve disputes without the stress, time or cost of an expensive legal process. It also helps build a stronger business, with better communication and sustainable outcomes. She says the current delays at MBIE for mediation mean increasing numbers of businesses are turning to independent specialists – or are not dealing with the issue at all. 'The second option is a lose-lose for both parties. In the current employment environment, no one wants to be looking for a new job. For an employer, it can cost up to 1.5 times a person's salary to replace them, including recruitment, onboarding and lost productivity. Mrs Urquhart says businesses looking for external mediation support should look for someone with proven experience, relevant qualifications and professional membership with either the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand or the Resolution Institute. 'Industry membership means the adviser has the appropriate qualifications and experience to deliver mediation, while also working under an industry code of ethics. 'This is important, as it gives employees and organisations a level of reassurance they're working with someone who is qualified to help get them on the right track. In a stressful and emotional situation, this benchmark is something people should be looking for.' And her biggest piece of advice for either an employee or employer? 'Don't wait. Start addressing the issue sooner rather than later and get some help to ensure it's done right the first time.'
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
'Better vocational pathways' to be included in NCEA overhaul
As part of it's overhaul of NCEA, the government has said it plans to work with industry to develop bette vocational pathways for students. Advocacy and stakeholder engagement lead at the Employers and Manufacturers Association, Joanna Hall spoke to Lisa Owen. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
1News
15 hours ago
- 1News
More than 250 storm-damaged or risky homes in Auckland removed
Auckland Council's recovery office has so far removed more than 250 storm-damaged or risky homes in the region, as it prepares to wind up buyouts. The council expects to buy just over 1200 high-risk homes by the end of this year as part of the $1.2 billion buyout shared with the Government. Council said homeowners needed to have sale-and-purchase agreements signed no later than December 19, with settlements continuing into early 2026. Group recovery manager Mace Ward said 1189 houses had been deemed eligible for buyout so far, with hundreds settled. "We're moving at a good pace - 843 buyouts have been settled, giving those whānau the ability to move on with their lives," he said. ADVERTISEMENT "We're now dealing with the more intricate cases and some of these are the hardest we've had to navigate. Shared ownership, for example, presents some really challenging situations, especially for the people involved." The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including toddler found in suitcase on bus, Russian volcano erupts, and Liam Lawson pips former world champion. (Source: 1News) Ward said they were also dealing with many who felt like they had missed out on a buyout. "As expected, we are also dealing with a lot of people who feel like they missed out, so the next question is how we help Aucklanders, not just to understand, but adapt in a time of climate instability. We all have a role to play." Council had identified 145 high-risk properties, but that could be reduced. "We're supporting about 145 homeowners to make their homes safer, so they can continue living in the communities they love," Ward said. "This includes practical measures, like building retaining walls, or lifting or shifting homes to reduce their risk." More than 250 homes have been removed, of which a third have been relocated. ADVERTISEMENT Milford has 140 high-risk homes eligible for buyout, the most of any Auckland suburb, and of those, 17 have been removed. Devastating flash flooding hit at the start of Auckland Anniversary Weekend last year. (Source: 1News) Council aims to remove about 30 storm-damaged homes a month until November 2027. Ward said most of the work ahead involved removing the high-risk homes and deciding what to do with the land council had bought. "This process has only just begun and, with buy-outs still underway, it'll take time to carefully assess each site's potential," he said. "We have a region-wide policy guiding this work. Safety remains our number one priority, but we also need to deliver value for Aucklanders, especially given how expensive this recovery effort has been." Meanwhile, in partnership with the Government, Auckland Council has confirmed four major flood resilience projects - two in Mangere, and the others in Wairau Park and Ranui. ADVERTISEMENT
