Regional Tourism Boost Fund recipients
Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) have been awarded $3 million of funding in March 2025 from the Regional Tourism Boost Fund.
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Upper North Island
Funding received: $600,000
RTOs involved
RotoruaNZ (lead), Northland Inc, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Destination Hauraki Coromandel, Tourism Bay of Plenty, Hamilton and Waikato Tourism, Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Destination Great Lake Taupō, and Visit Ruapehu.
Project
To enable new promotional activities to target Australian audiences along the eastern seaboard, capitalising on the new Jetstar flight from the Gold Coast to Hamilton and to build on the recent 2EASY2BOOK campaign.
Central New Zealand
Funding received: $600,000
RTOs involved
WellingtonNZ (lead), Hawke’s Bay Tourism, Destination Wairarapa, Nelson Regional Development Agency, Whanganui and Partners, Venture Taranaki, Destination Marlborough, and the Central Economic Development Agency.
Project
To encourage Australian visitors primarily from Victoria and Queensland to think differently and explore other parts of New Zealand.
Top of the South Island
Funding received: $170,000
RTOs involved
Destination West Coast (lead), Destination Kaikoura, Nelson Regional Development Agency, Destination Marlborough, and Hurunui Tourism.
Project
To target Australian travellers to visit these regions in conjunction with Luxury Escapes an on-line travel agent with a strong presence in Australia.
Canterbury/West Coast
Funding received: $600,000
RTOs involved
ChristchurchNZ (lead), Destination Kaikōura, Visit Hurunui, Venture Timaru, Mackenzie Tourism, Development West Coast, Christchurch International Airport, Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council, and the Ashburton District Council.
Project
A winter-focussed marketing plan targeted at the eastern seaboard of Australia particularly Queensland, Cairns and the Gold Coast to boost winter tourism across Canterbury, Christchurch and the West Coast.
Bottom of the South Island
Funding received: $350,000
RTOs involved
Great South (lead), Tourism Central Otago, Destination Queenstown, Lake Wānaka Tourism, Clutha Development Inc, Tourism Waitaki, and Enterprise Dunedin.
Project
A marketing campaign focused on the Gold Coast market capitalising on the new Jetstar service into Dunedin encouraging visitors to explore beyond traditional gateway cities. The campaign will highlight the travel proposition to fly into Dunedin and out through Queenstown.
Nationwide
Funding received: $680,000
RTOs involved
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (lead) and all other 30 RTOs.
Project
Marketing regional New Zealand in North America.