Love Queenstown & Wānaka kicks into gear
Local charitable organisations who work in the environmental sector can now apply for grants of between $5,000 - $10,000 to support their work, with the first funding round of the Love Queenstown and Love Wānaka Community Funds now open.
Launching in April 2023, Love Queenstown and Love Wānaka were the first initiatives to come to life from the region’s Destination Management Plan, Travel to a Thriving Future.
The aim is to accelerate local environmental efforts, connecting visitors and businesses across the visitor industry with opportunities to contribute to projects of value in the Queenstown-Lakes region.
Some $75,000 has been raised across the district in year one.
Ash Bickley Community Fund Coordinator says these initiatives have the capacity to grow and contribute to our region over time.
“In just one year we’ve formed a number of key partnerships and have had some great support from the tourism industry, with businesses big and small contributing both financially and in-kind.
"Beyond this, it’s been incredible to develop a connection with our non-profit sector, coming to understand the challenges and the opportunities our region faces, and how tourism can play a role in positively enhancing our rohe (region)”.
A particular highlight from year one was the Love Queenstown planting days, held in partnership with the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust and Mana Tāhuna.
Over 250 volunteers from across the industry gave their time to plant 4,000+ native seedlings in just six months, accelerating native revegetation efforts and supporting the work of these two charitable organisations.
Visitors have also contributed, with the likes of Siddartha’s Intent NZ and GOOD Travel supporting local environmental mahi (work) with generous contributions to Love Wānaka.
Visitors across Queenstown and Wānaka are also invited to volunteer their time, with the platforms operating as hubs for local volunteer opportunities and events, as well as providing information on sustainable and low-impact travel.
“This is a project for our community and for our place, with the intention to create opportunities for our visitor industry to support a regenerative approach and accelerate the efforts of local groups who operate in this space,” says Destination Queenstown CE Mat Woods.
“These funds represent a groundbreaking collaboration, a New Zealand first, with our Regional Tourism Organisations…demonstrating the potential for replication across the country” says Jennifer Belmont CEO and founding trustee of the Wakatipu Community Foundation.
The inaugural Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown funding round is open from 4 April – 16 May, 2024. Charitable organisations who operate in the local environmental sector can apply online now via www.loveqt.co.nz/community-group-support or www.lovewanaka.co.nz/for-community.
