Events sector boost
Twenty-one major events in Queenstown Lakes will share almost half-a-million dollars in council grants funding.
Challenge Wānaka, LUMA Southern Light Project, the New Zealand Open, Queenstown Marathon, Warbirds over Wānaka and Winter Games NZ all get more than $30,000 each.
Another 15, including Lake Hayes A&P Show, Queenstown Bike Festival and Winter Pride, all receive smaller grants of $30k or less.
Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) doesn't reveal the individual grant figures due to commercial sensitivities, but the total is $492,835.
Despite a huge rates hike of 14% and cost-cutting across the board, the contestable events fund is only $35k less than last year.
Councillor Craig Ferguson, chair of the QLDC Events Funding Panel, says the events "lift our local economy, entertain and enlighten, and have a positive impact on our community’s wellbeing — whether it’s via residents enjoying what’s on offer or taking part as a volunteer."
Ferg says it is fantastic to see the sector regrowing after the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Having the biennial Warbirds over Wānaka airshow return, alongside international events such as Winter Games NZ and the Queenstown Marathon, is a huge boost. It shows the local industry’s fortitude and spirit.
"As well as supporting the well-known large events, we’re very pleased to also help fund the district’s wide range of emerging shows and festivals including Ripe, Roam, The Wild and Queenstown Multicultural Festival."
QLDC’s Events Funding Panel, which consisted of councillors Ferguson, Quentin Smith, Matt Wong and Barry Bruce, considered the applications in late May.
The shortlist was approved by full council, in a public excluded session at its meeting on Thursday, 29 June.
The other events to receive funding (under $30k) are Arrowtown Autumn Festival, Aspiring Conversations, Cyclorama E-Bike Festival, Motatapu, NZ Mountain Film Festival, Queenstown Diwali Festival, Queenstown Multicultural Festival, Ripe, Roam, The Wild, Wānaka A&P Show and Wao Summit.
"If anyone is interested in volunteering for an event, I’m sure the organisers would welcome contact," Ferg says. "And if people are keen to create something new, we’re always keen to see new events in the mix for consideration."
