Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Tauranga Event Fund provides financial support for events that attract visitors, generate economic benefits, and enhance Tauranga’s profile at regional and national levels. The fund aims to strengthen the city’s event portfolio while delivering positive community outcomes and supporting tourism growth.
With annual funding of $600,000 plus GST, the programme prioritizes events that increase visitor numbers, showcase Tauranga’s unique identity, and contribute to the city’s long-term economic and community development goals.
About the Fund
- The fund supports events that bring visitors to Tauranga.
- Funding is designed to generate economic and tourism benefits.
- Events must showcase Tauranga’s unique character and identity.
- The programme encourages regional and national exposure for the city.
- Supported events should deliver measurable community outcomes.
- Priority is given to strategically aligned events.
- The fund promotes a balanced and diverse annual event calendar.
Fund Objectives
- Increase visitor numbers to Tauranga.
- Generate positive economic impact.
- Support tourism growth.
- Enhance regional and national visibility.
- Strengthen community outcomes.
- Support city development priorities.
- Encourage year-round event activity.
- Create opportunities for long-term event growth and sustainability.
Priority Focus Areas
- Visitor attraction.
- Economic development.
- Tourism promotion.
- Regional exposure.
- National exposure.
- Community engagement.
- Strategic city outcomes.
- Seasonal event planning.
- Event portfolio diversification.
- Cost-benefit value creation.
Funding Information
- Maximum grant per event: $75,000 plus GST.
- Total annual fund allocation: $600,000 plus GST.
- Funding supports events held between 1 July and 30 June of each financial year.
- Most successful applicants are not expected to receive the maximum funding amount.
- Funding levels are determined based on project merit, impact, and assessment outcomes.
Eligible Event Requirements
Funded events must:
- Deliver a moderate positive economic impact for Tauranga.
- Attract visitors from outside Tauranga.
- Ensure at least 30% of total attendees are visitors who travel to Tauranga because of the event.
- Generate positive regional or national exposure.
- Align with community outcomes and city priorities.
- Demonstrate clear benefits for the local economy and community.
Priority Events
Additional consideration is given to events that:
- Take place during shoulder seasons.
- Occur during off-peak periods between March and November.
- Strengthen Tauranga’s annual event calendar.
- Provide leverage opportunities for city promotion.
- Support tourism outside peak visitor periods.
- Contribute to a balanced mix of community, cultural, sporting, and entertainment events.
- Align with broader city development objectives.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed on factors including:
- Economic impact.
- Visitor attraction potential.
- Strategic alignment.
- Community outcomes.
- Marketing and exposure benefits.
- Event feasibility and delivery capacity.
- Cost-benefit performance.
- Contribution to Tauranga’s event portfolio.
Cost-Benefit Analysis Approach
A key feature of the fund is its use of cost-benefit analysis.
- Market and non-market benefits are assessed equally.
- Economic and social outcomes are considered together.
- Community benefits are evaluated alongside financial returns.
- The approach supports transparent and evidence-based funding decisions.
- Different event types are assessed using a consistent framework.
Who Can Benefit?
The fund is intended to support:
- Event organizers.
- Community event producers.
- Cultural event organizers.
- Tourism-focused events.
- Sporting events.
- Arts and entertainment events.
- Festivals and public celebrations.
- Organizations delivering events that attract visitors to Tauranga.
Expected Outcomes
Funded events should contribute to:
- Increased visitor spending.
- Greater tourism activity.
- Enhanced regional and national recognition.
- Stronger community participation.
- Economic benefits for local businesses.
- Improved city profile and reputation.
- A more balanced annual events programme.
- Long-term growth of Tauranga’s visitor economy.
Why This Fund Matters
- Events play an important role in driving tourism and economic activity.
- Visitor spending supports local businesses and jobs.
- Major events help showcase Tauranga to wider audiences.
- Community events contribute to social wellbeing and local pride.
- Off-season events help reduce seasonal fluctuations in tourism.
- Strategic event investment strengthens the city’s long-term development goals.
Application Tips
- Clearly demonstrate how the event will attract visitors.
- Provide evidence supporting projected attendance figures.
- Show that at least 30% of attendees will be visitors to Tauranga.
- Quantify expected economic benefits where possible.
- Explain how the event promotes Tauranga regionally or nationally.
- Highlight alignment with community and city objectives.
- Present a realistic budget and delivery plan.
- Demonstrate strong organizational capacity and event management experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Tauranga Event Fund?
- It is a funding programme that supports events generating visitor activity, economic benefits, and positive exposure for Tauranga.
How much funding can an event receive?
- Events can receive up to $75,000 plus GST.
What is the total annual funding available?
- The fund provides $600,000 plus GST each financial year.
What visitor requirement must events meet?
- At least 30% of attendees must be visitors who come to Tauranga specifically because of the event.
Which events receive priority consideration?
- Events held during shoulder and off-peak seasons between March and November, as well as those that align strongly with city priorities and tourism goals.
How are applications assessed?
- Applications are evaluated using cost-benefit analysis alongside criteria such as economic impact, visitor attraction, community outcomes, and strategic alignment.
What types of benefits are considered during assessment?
- Both economic and social benefits are considered equally, ensuring a balanced assessment of community and financial outcomes.
Conclusion
The Tauranga Event Fund provides valuable support for events that attract visitors, stimulate economic activity, and enhance Tauranga’s profile as a destination. With grants of up to $75,000 plus GST and an annual funding pool of $600,000 plus GST, the programme helps create a vibrant and balanced events calendar that benefits residents, businesses, and visitors while supporting the city’s long-term growth and development.
For more information, visit Tauranga City Council.