Events Boost Fund

About the fund

The Events Boost Fund is contestable and aims to increase international visitation and drive economic activity in the short-term. The fund also aims to drive international exposure by promoting New Zealand as an events and tourism destination, stimulating economic growth in the longer term.

The fund is available to events which will begin delivery by 31 December 2026 and can demonstrate the capability and capacity to deliver increased international visitation, positive economic outcomes and international exposure. Events will need to deliver a return on investment and increase the likelihood of encouraging visitors to explore New Zealand.

Events Boost Fund investments are expected to add value by enhancing spending on promotional or content purposes. Funding can be used to assist with resourcing needed to grow and enhance the event.

The Fund investment should not be used to substitute the existing event budget, nor to replace local government investment.

All applicants must provide a letter of support from the relevant local government entity responsible for oversight of local event activity. The letter could be from:

• a Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO)
• Economic Development Agency (EDA)
• Local Government (Council).

The letter of support must confirm the cash and in-kind contributions made at the local level towards the event. Local government contributions must equate to at least 25% of the total public investment. For example if total public investment is $1 million, then at least $250,000 of that to be from local government, with Event Boost Fund investment being no more than $750,000.

Applicants can apply for one or more events, with separate applications.

Applicants can cluster several individual events into one application, if presented as a package to promote the city, region or nation.

Funding can be used for:

• content programming, resources, international marketing (non-sports events)
• core delivery costs, resources, international marketing (sports events).

Funding cannot be used to:

• replace local government investment
• fund domestic marketing activities.

Who could apply

Applicants to the Fund can be:

• an event organiser/owner
• a promoter
• a venue
• a national sporting organisation
• a local government event entity.

All applicants had to have the support of the relevant local authority as detailed above.

Events and campaigns announced to date

Measurable outcomes

MBIE will work with successful applicants to enter into an investment agreement.

Events Boost Fund investment will require measurable outcomes to be met under an investment agreement. All Events Boost Fund recipients will be required to complete post-event reporting and post-event surveying within an agreed timeframe.

Key performance indicators will be included in investment agreements. A proportion of investment will be tagged against the achievement of the key performance indicators.

Fund criteria

To apply for Events Boost Fund support, your event must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Will begin delivery by 31 December 2026 (inclusive).
• Must demonstrate how positive economic outcomes will be generated (for example through international visitor and/or event spend).
• Sports events must be regional-level (for example Oceania/Asia) or greater (such as global).
• Exhibition and expo-type events must be business to consumer (not business to business).
• Creative/cultural events can be existing and recurring, or one-off.
• Events cannot currently be receiving Major Events Fund investment.

In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria above, all applicants must also meet the following baseline requirements:

• Take place onshore in New Zealand (therefore excluding events held offshore to promote New Zealand).
• Keep funds onshore in New Zealand and not channel large amounts of funding offshore for costs associated with rights fees, prize money, or to secure talent.
• Demonstrate financial viability, with diversified revenue streams (for example this investment must be considered reasonable alongside other funding sources and cannot be the primary revenue stream nor function as an underwrite).
• Demonstrate a need for government investment.
• Utilise natural or existing built assets and not need investment to support significant infrastructure or capital works costs.
• Have or commit to establishing a New Zealand domiciled ownership and/or delivery structure, with qualified and experienced leadership.

Events the fund will not support

The Fund will not support events such as:

• Concerts that have already been announced for New Zealand.
• Free mass participation events, unless the applicant can demonstrate a robust approach to measure domestic and international participation.
• A&P shows.
• Craft markets, farmers markets.
• Santa parades.
• Conferences, school events, university events, reunions.
• Domestic touring music concerts and festivals.
• Major commercial sporting events such as regularly scheduled cricket and rugby fixtures.

A list of definitions can be found at the bottom of this page.

Funding parameters

Minimum and maximum funding caps have not been set. Investment levels will be decided based on the potential that event, or event cluster, has to increase international visitation and drive economic growth.

Funding will be prioritised for:

• Events that will begin delivery by 30 June 2026.
• Multi-day or multi-region, and/or multi-disciplinary events.
• Concerts that feature content that is exclusive to New Zealand.
• Event clusters that collectively deliver Fund objectives for maximum impact.
• Events that have the capability and capacity to accommodate international attendees and deliver a quality product that aligns with New Zealand’s event hosting reputation.

Assessment process

MBIE will assess applications against eligibility criteria and funding parameters.

The assessment process will also consider:

• The size, scale and significance of the event.
• The level of public investment required against other confirmed funding sources.
• The likelihood of the event attracting more international visitors, or additional multi-day visitors through funding.
• The economic impact for the host region.
• The seasonal and regional spread of events supported by the fund.

An Evaluation Panel will then make investment recommendations to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality for investment decisions.

The Evaluation Panel will comprise of representatives from:

• The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
• The New Zealand Events Association.
• Tourism New Zealand.
• The Ministry of Culture and Heritage.
• Sport New Zealand.

Investment outcomes will be notified in mid-December 2025.