Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Major Event Fund provides strategic funding to attract, grow, and enhance major events that generate significant economic benefits, increase tourism, and raise Tauranga’s profile nationally and internationally. The fund supports events that deliver strong visitor outcomes, create substantial economic impact, and contribute to the city’s long-term development goals.
With grants of up to $100,000 plus GST per event and an annual funding pool of $400,000 plus GST, the programme focuses on events that strengthen Tauranga’s visitor economy while delivering positive community and promotional benefits.
About the Fund
- The fund supports major events that drive economic growth.
- Funding aims to increase tourism and visitor spending.
- Events must contribute to Tauranga’s vibrancy and visibility.
- The programme encourages events that generate significant visitor activity.
- Supported events should align with community and city development goals.
- The fund promotes year-round tourism and event activity.
- Priority is given to strategically important events with measurable impact.
Fund Objectives
- Increase visitor numbers to Tauranga.
- Generate significant economic benefits.
- Support tourism growth.
- Enhance Tauranga’s international profile.
- Deliver positive community outcomes.
- Strengthen the city’s event portfolio.
- Encourage off-peak and shoulder-season visitation.
- Support long-term economic and social development.
Priority Focus Areas
- Economic impact.
- Tourism growth.
- Visitor attraction.
- Visitor nights generation.
- International exposure.
- Community outcomes.
- Strategic city development.
- Seasonal event distribution.
- Cost-benefit value creation.
- Event-led economic development.
Funding Information
- Maximum grant per event: $100,000 plus GST.
- Total annual funding allocation: $400,000 plus GST.
- Funding supports events held between 1 July and 30 June each financial year.
- Funding levels are determined based on event impact and assessment outcomes.
Eligible Event Requirements
Funded events must:
- Deliver a significant positive economic impact.
- Attract substantial visitor numbers.
- Generate at least 5,000 visitor nights.
- Provide positive international exposure for Tauranga.
- Demonstrate strong strategic alignment with city priorities.
- Deliver measurable benefits for the local economy and community.
Priority Events
Additional preference is given to events that:
- Take place between March and November.
- Occur during shoulder or off-peak tourism periods.
- Strengthen Tauranga’s tourism offering.
- Provide marketing and promotional opportunities for the city.
- Enhance Tauranga’s reputation as an events destination.
- Contribute to a balanced annual events programme.
- Support wider economic development objectives.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Economic impact potential.
- Visitor attraction and tourism benefits.
- Number of visitor nights generated.
- International exposure opportunities.
- Strategic alignment with city goals.
- Community outcomes and benefits.
- Event feasibility and delivery capacity.
- Overall value for investment.
Cost-Benefit Analysis Approach
A key feature of the fund is its use of cost-benefit analysis.
- Economic and social outcomes are assessed equally.
- Market and non-market benefits receive equal consideration.
- Community impacts are evaluated alongside financial returns.
- The process supports transparent and evidence-based decisions.
- Different event types can be compared fairly using a consistent framework.
Who Can Apply?
The fund is suitable for:
- Major event organizers.
- Tourism-focused event producers.
- Cultural event organizations.
- Sporting event organizers.
- Entertainment event producers.
- Festival organizers.
- Organizations capable of delivering large-scale visitor events.
Expected Outcomes
Supported events should contribute to:
- Increased visitor spending.
- Growth in tourism activity.
- Higher visitor-night generation.
- Greater international recognition for Tauranga.
- Increased business activity and economic benefits.
- Enhanced community participation and engagement.
- Stronger city branding and destination promotion.
- Sustainable growth of the visitor economy.
Why This Fund Matters
- Major events stimulate local economic activity and business growth.
- Visitor spending supports jobs and tourism-related industries.
- International exposure strengthens Tauranga’s destination profile.
- Events help attract new visitors and repeat tourism.
- Strategic event investment supports long-term city development.
- Off-peak events help create a more balanced tourism economy throughout the year.
Application Tips
- Clearly quantify expected visitor numbers and visitor nights.
- Demonstrate the event’s economic impact using evidence and projections.
- Explain how the event will generate international exposure.
- Show alignment with Tauranga’s strategic priorities.
- Provide a realistic event delivery and marketing plan.
- Highlight partnerships that strengthen event success.
- Demonstrate organizational capacity and event management experience.
- Present a detailed and well-supported budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Major Event Fund?
- It is a funding programme that supports major events that generate significant economic, tourism, and promotional benefits for Tauranga.
How much funding can an event receive?
- Events can receive up to $100,000 plus GST.
What is the total annual funding available?
- The fund allocates $400,000 plus GST each financial year.
How many visitor nights must an event generate?
- Eligible events must generate at least 5,000 visitor nights.
What type of exposure must events provide?
- Events must generate positive international exposure for Tauranga.
Which events receive priority consideration?
- Events held during shoulder and off-peak periods between March and November, as well as those strongly aligned with city objectives.
How are applications assessed?
- Applications are evaluated using cost-benefit analysis and criteria such as economic impact, visitor attraction, visitor nights, international exposure, community outcomes, and strategic alignment.
Conclusion
The Major Event Fund provides substantial support for events that drive tourism, increase visitor spending, and enhance Tauranga’s international profile. With grants of up to $100,000 plus GST and an annual funding pool of $400,000 plus GST, the programme helps attract and grow major events that deliver lasting economic and community benefits while strengthening Tauranga’s position as a leading events destination.
For more information, visit Tauranga City Council.