Funding for more than 25 southern events

More than 25 events around the South have been granted money from a government fund to help stage their events and attract tourists to the area.

Tourism Minister Matt Doocey announced yesterday the first round of funding from the new Regional Events Promotion Fund.

The fund was targeted at getting domestic tourists out into the regions.

The funds in the South cover costs for long-standing events such as Challenge Wanaka and the Alexandra Blossom Festival. The iD Dunedin Fashion Week was granted $30,000.

But there are new events such as the Goldrush Multisport Event and Mad Mike’s Southern Bash which have gained funding.

The Goldrush event was coming back after being away for more than a decade. Race director Neil Gellatly said he was looking to bring the multisport event back and had asked the Central Otago District Council for funding.

The event was set to take place over two days over Otago Anniversary Day weekend and would be based around Clyde. The Goldrush event was granted $22,900.

All up more than $350,000 has been granted for events in the South.

Mr Doocey said the funds were targeted at events that Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) and councils had already identified as opportunities to attract more domestic visitors to their regions.

"This investment will boost visitation to the regions outside of the peak summer season, which, in turn, will help create a more sustainable tourism and hospitality sector across the entire country and year-round," Mr Doocey said.

A total of 132 events across the country were granted money, following 242 applications.

Applications for round two are expected to open in March next year for events next winter.