The New Zealand Open's wish has been granted.
Funding support of nearly $1 million a year for the next two tournaments will focus on television production and distribution.
It was announced by Minister of Economic Development Steven Joyce yesterday.
It is estimated coverage of next year's event will reach about 200 million homes.
The tier one tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia will be played in Arrowtown at The Hills and Millbrook courses from March 12-15.
The tournament will receive $700,000 per annum through the Major Events Development Fund, with up to $250,000 a year from the Government.
Event promoter Michael Hill Tournaments Ltd will contribute $250,000 to ensure live broadcast to a worldwide audience and help support wider commercial objectives.
The New Zealand Herald in April reported organisers applied for another $1.5 million for the 2015 tournament from the Major Events Development Fund, in part to be used to fund live television coverage.
During this year's tournament, director Michael Glading said live television coverage of the tournament - which would cost about $600,000 for the final three days - was on ''the wish list'' and an application to central Government for future funding of the Open was predicated on that.
Sir Michael Hill said last night the increased funding was critical to the tournament's continued success.
''Without television, really we were never going to get anywhere.
''It's a must to showcase the tournament and if we want to grow it internationally, it's an absolute must. It was essential.''
Organising committee chairman John Hart said the tournament would be broadcast domestically on Sky, to eight million homes in Japan via the Japan Golf Network, and to Australia and other key markets, including China and Korea.
Coverage would be 90 minutes on the Thursday and Friday of the March tournament, and then up to four hours of live screening on the Saturday and Sunday.
Dunedin-based technology company Animation Research Ltd will lead the television production for the event.
The company is involved in golfing events around the world, including the Ryder Cup, the PGA Championship, the Open Championship and all the events on the European Tour.
''The new technology ... will create a real impact on TV viewers [it will be] world-class television coverage to showcase Queenstown and New Zealand as a must-visit destination,'' Mr Hart said.
''The introduction of live television has taken the event to a new level, with increased investment and support from sponsors both here in New Zealand and offshore,'' he said.
That support included the BMW Group, announced as naming sponsor of next year's tournament.
Prime Minister John Key said last night the Government would ''stay committed'' to the New Zealand Open to ensure it continued to grow.
Mr Key said the tournament was going ''from strength to strength'' and the Government was keen to play its part to ensure the Open became a ''premier event'' and to showcase Queenstown and New Zealand to the world.
Destination Queenstown chief executive Graham Budd said the potential reach of the television audience would have enormous benefits for the resort.
''The great thing about golf coverage is ... there's a lot of opportunity to tell stories of the place that they're in.
''That's the exciting thing - not only [stories] on the golf stage, but actually the stories they can interweave with Queenstown.''
Mr Hart said the organisers appreciated the continued support the tournament had received from the Government, the Queenstown Lakes District Council and New Zealand Golf.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden said the tournament received $100,000 from the council's events fund for next year's tournament - the same level of contribution it received last year.
Ms van Uden said yesterday's announcement was exciting news for the tournament and the region.
''It's taking the [NZ Open] to the next stage. It's a real bonus for the Queenstown Lakes.''
''It's a unique opportunity.''
Milford Track Guided Walk chairman Sir John Davies said the decision to forge ahead with live television coverage would ''enhance the event's already significant appeal''.
''This is fantastic news.''
The last time the tournament was broadcast from Queenstown was in 2010.
At a glance
• The BMW Group is the naming rights sponsor for the 2015 NZ Open.
• The Government will contribute almost $1 million a year for the next two years:
- $700,000 from the Major Events Development Fund.
- Up to $250,000 from the Government.
• Michael Hill Tournaments Ltd will also contribute $250,000 to ensure worldwide television coverage.
• The 2015 tournament will be broadcast to about 200 million homes, via Sky in New Zealand, in Japan via the Japan Golf Network and to other key markets, including Australia, China and Korea.
• A BMW i8, worth more than $250,000, will be the hole-in-one prize at next year's Open, at The Hills and Millbrook resort from March 12-15.
