Funding to attract more international visitors to regional New Zealand

The funding will be spread across 6 initiatives to drive international visitor numbers from the top of the North to the bottom of the South Island. 

Most will target the Australian market, with 1 national campaign designed to encourage visitors from North America. 

The contestable Regional Tourism Boost fund opened in February with applicants encouraged to collaborate to attract more international visitors to their wider regions over the autumn and winter season. Funding comes from the International Conservation and Tourism Visitor Levy.

The funding covers: 

• $600,000 for a top of the North initiative led by RotoruaNZ for new promotional activities to build on their 2EASY2BOOK campaign targeting Australians. 
• $600,000 for a central North Island and Nelson / Marlborough initiative led by WellingtonNZ for promotional activities to visit Wellington and surrounding regions.
• $600,000 for a central South Island initiative led by ChristchurchNZ for a winter-focused marketing campaign encouraging Australians to travel to the Canterbury and West Coast regions. 
• $170,000 for a top of the South initiative led by Development West Coast for promotional activities encouraging Australians to visit for luxury experiences. 
• $350,000 for a lower South Island initiative led by Great South for a marketing campaign encouraging Australians to travel from the Gold Coast. 
• $680,000 for a nation-wide initiative, led by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, for promotional activities encouraging North Americans to visit and disperse around New Zealand.

Read more about the fund:

Regional Tourism Boost fund

Read the Minister's announcement:

Regional Tourism Boosts drive international growth(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz