Major Events and Tourism package
The 2025 Major Events and Tourism Package will grow international visitor numbers, deliver economic growth, and position New Zealand as a major events and tourism destination.
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About the package
The Major Events and Tourism Package is the second phase of the Government’s work to drive economic growth and boost international visitor numbers. Approximately $70 million has been allocated to:
| Project | Description | Total funding |
|---|---|---|
| Events Attraction Package | A package to secure significant, high-impact events for New Zealand from 2026. | $40 million |
| Events Boost Fund | A fund to support new and existing sports, creative and cultural events that will be delivered during 2026. | $10 million |
| Regional Tourism Boost (Round 2) | A fund to support regions to attract more international visitors to travel, stay and dine in New Zealand. | $10 million |
| Events and Infrastructure upgrades | Upgrades to existing infrastructure for events and tourism to support trade and enhance visitor experiences. | $10 million |
Events Attraction Package
The Events Attraction Package is aimed at showstopper events that attract large audiences and international visitors – such as major sports, music, and cultural events. The Events Attraction Package will complement, rather than replace, Major Events Fund investments.
The Major Events team at MBIE will work with industry leaders and independent event experts to proactively identify events that can form part of the package. The final package of events will be curated to ensure a mix of different kinds of events, with regional and seasonal spread also a consideration.
Events Boost Fund
The Events Boost Fund is a one-off fund to support growth and promotion of events delivered during the 2026 calendar year. The Events Boost Fund is contestable and aims to increase international visitation and drive economic activity in the short term. Events Boost Fund investments are expected to add value by enhancing spending on promotional or content purposes.
More information:
Regional Tourism Boost (Round 2)
The Regional Tourism Boost (Round 2) marketing campaign is a fund to support regions to attract more international visitors to travel, stay and dine in New Zealand in 2026. Regional campaigns will showcase great value, time-limited discounts on air travel, accommodation and visitor attractions alongside the promotion of regional hospitality experiences.
Events and Infrastructure Upgrades
The funding allocated to events and tourism infrastructure upgrades to attract more visitors to our cities and regions by enhancing their experiences, while also boosting trade. Investment into infrastructure will ensure the future of key events that significantly contribute to our economy while creating jobs through construction and maintenance.
More information about the Events Attraction Package, Regional Tourism Boost (Round 2) and Events and Infrastructure Upgrades to be announced soon.