Council opens up events funding

Waipā has a growing reputation for holding world-class events, and Council is stepping up to help.

Applications open today for a share of Council’s $150,000 District Promotions Fund. The Fund supports events that drive economic activity and promote Waipā as a great place to live, work, invest in or visit.

At the same time, $30,000 will be available to support grass-roots events through Council’s Community Fund. That fund helps events which celebrate community pride, maximise use of facilities and public spaces and help people connect.

In previous rounds, District Promotions funding has gone to major events including Waka Ama, cycling events, Armistice in Cambridge, speedway, equine events and more. Community-based funding has been focused on low-key events, often hosted by not-for-profit community groups.

Group manager, customer and community services Sally Sheedy said over the last year, council staff had supported 273 events. Not all had received funding support; sometimes event organisers were seeking advice, or were looking to hold events in the future.

“Waipā is becoming really well known as a great place for events of all types. After the huge disruptions caused by Covid, we’re now seeing a real resurgence in events, ” Sheedy said.

She noted Waipā was “not a hard sell” with incredible facilities and some important practical advantages.

“We’re perfectly located, within an easy drive from Auckland on the Expressway. We’re smack in the middle of the Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga ‘golden triangle’ which has a huge population to call upon.

Logistical issues are important for organisers. We need to be leveraging our advantages and making sure events work hard for people in our district. That’s what the fund is about.”

Funding applications open on Tuesday (April 11) and close on Friday, May 12. Applications, criteria and forms can be found online at www.waipadc.govt.nz/funding.