An events fund which has supported a wide range of local events is now open for its third and final round. 

The Southern Lakes Regional Events Fund has granted $4.1M to 44 events since it opened. 

“With the region now facing the third consecutive year of Covid-related impacts… the fund aims to stimulate domestic travel to the region through holding events…” Southern Lakes events manager Catherine Fallon said.

It also aims to help replace some of the expenditure lost from international tourists due to Covid-19, she said.

Wānaka events to receive grants from the fund include Contact Epic, NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival, Winter Games, Snowboxx, Wanaka Wedding Fair, the WAO Summit and more.

“Where events have been postponed due to Covid restrictions, the funding has been rolled over…” Catherine said.

“This helps to give event organisers financial certainty when planning events in the current climate, while also supporting events aiming to become permanent fixtures in the region.”

The third funding round will help support events due to take place before February 23.

The focus for the final round of funding will be on supporting existing iconic events as well as developing new events, Catherine said.

The Southern Lakes Regional Events fund is part of the government’s $50M Regional Events Fund which aims to stimulate domestic tourism by supporting events.

The Southern Lakes region - including Queenstown, Wānaka, Central Otago and Fiordland - was allocated $8.5 million over a 2–4-year timeframe and the fund is managed collectively by the Regional Tourism Organisations through the Southern Lakes Events Investment Panel.

Applicants have until February 11 to make their submissions for the final round of funding.

Find more information here.

PHOTO: Wānaka App