The Tourism Recovery Ministers Group has approved grants for three Wanaka businesses from the Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme (STAPP).

Wanaka River Journeys, Wilkin River Jets and Backcountry Helicopters are among 130 tourism assets around the country to receive funding through the programme.

STAPP is intended to protect the assets in the tourism landscape that form the core of New Zealand’s essential tourism offerings, helping ensure their survival through the disruption caused by COVID-19.

Applicants for the fund must demonstrate they have exhausted alternative options for support, and there is a need for support to safeguard the asset. The tourism asset must also be of strategic significance (national or regional, cultural, environmental and/or historic), be a key attraction, be responsible for significant visitation to the region where it is located, and generate significant spillover benefits.

STAAP is part of the government’s Tourism Recovery Plan.

Lake Wanaka Tourism was granted $700,000 through STAPP in late July, as one of 31 regional tourism organisations (RTOs) to receive grants totalling $20.2M. 

Backcountry Helicopters (pictured) and Wilkin River Jets are Makarora based businesses.

In this round, Wanaka River Journeys has been granted $215,101, while Wilkin River Jets and Backcountry Helicopters each received grants of $500,000. 

Sue Pihama, who co-owns Wanaka River Journeys with her husband Brent, said they were thrilled to receive the STAPP funding. 

Wanaka River Journeys offers a range of experiences, including by jet boat and pack raft, on the Matukituki River.

“We are really pleased we have been recognised and we are proud we have been given that recognition through a lot of hard work and an incredible product,” Sue said. 

The strength of domestic tourism over the past few months was a positive sign for the industry moving forward. 

“We are optimistic about the future and the summer season ahead,” she said. 

Wilkin River Jets and Backcountry Helicopters did not respond to a request for comment before publication. Patsy Nolan is a director and CEO of both companies.

There were 305 businesses which applied for support through STAPP. While all STAPP funding has been assigned, the recipients of the funding have not all been made public yet, so there may be more local businesses who have received STAPP funding. 

PHOTOS: Supplied