Government invests $3.69 million to boost regional tourism

The latest funding round supports five new campaigns designed to attract visitors during the quieter autumn and early winter months and encourage travel beyond traditional hotspots. These initiatives will promote regionally distinctive experiences and highlight limited-time travel and accommodation deals.

The funding includes:

• A $1.2 million national campaign will encourage visitors from the USA and Canada to discover all corners of New Zealand, coordinated by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.
• A $1 million campaign to attract Australians from the eastern seaboard to our alpine and coastal regions within the central South Island, led by ChristchurchNZ.
• A $600,000 cycling initiative will encourage more Australian holidaymakers to experience New Zealand’s Great Rides, led by Destination Great Lake Taupō.
• A $459,000 project will entice Australians from the Gold Coast to explore the lower South Island, delivered by Great South and seven associated Regional Tourism Organisations.
• A $459,000 initiative will welcome Australians from Sydney and the Gold Coast to the heart of the North Island via direct flights to Hamilton Airport, led by Hamilton & Waikato Tourism.

With this announcement, all $10 million in Regional Tourism Boost Round 2 funding has now been allocated, supporting nine campaigns across New Zealand. Stage One, announced in November 2025, funded four campaigns for travel from January 2026.

The Regional Tourism Boost is part of the Government’s $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package, aimed at supporting the recovery and growth of New Zealand’s visitor economy.

Read the Minister’s announcement:

Regional Tourism Boost: welcoming more visitors(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz