Kickdown Festival

Expressions of interest for the 2025 Regional Events Promotion Fund

The second and final round of the Regional Events Promotion Fund (REPF) is now open, and Destination Hauraki Coromandel is now seeking expressions of interest from event organisers. The REPF is a contestable fund available to Regional Tourism Organisations including Destination Hauraki Coromandel. Event organisers cannot apply directly, so those interested in funding support should complete the 2025/2026 application form   and return it to  Megan Nunn by Friday 11 April 2025.

PURPOSE

The REPF will support the promotion of regional events to the domestic market. The aim of the fund is to encourage regional dispersal and increase visitor spend in the region with an additional focus on encouraging seasonal dispersal by promoting events outside of the peak summer season. The REPF is available for events that will deliver a high return on investment and increase the likelihood of encouraging visitors to explore New Zealand beyond the key tourism locations. Events should, where possible, align with the Destination Management Plan for the region.

FUNDING CRITERIA

• Funding is for additional event promotion costs only (i.e. not to substitute the existing budget), the event must have co-funding available.
• Events can be either new or established recurring events (the event must be able to measure return on investment where possible).
• Events must be ticketed/paid or registration events.
• Events must not occur in the period 25 December to 7 January.
• The minimum amount of funding available for each event is $5,000.
• Events must be taking place between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026

  ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The event must:

• Attract more out-of-region visitors
• Attract additional multi-day visitors
• Deliver economic impact for visitors in the host region
• Grow tourism/benefits for the applicant’s region

NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING

The REPF will not provide funding for:

• Events which are also receiving (within this Round One funding period) other central government funding including:
  • Major Events Fund or Creative and Cultural Events Incubator
  • Ministry for Culture & Heritage
  • Regional Events Fund
• Free events that do not drive out-of-region visitation e.g. annual Santa Parades, community farmers markets
• Events that take place in the New Year summer period (25 December to 7 January).

ACCOUNTABILITY

It will be the responsibility of the successful event organisers to ensure measures are put in place prior to the event, to enable accurate reporting on the success of the event. This will require tracking of visitor numbers and spending at the event, sales figures, night/day visits, market analysis such as which regions outside of the event location participants are from, financial accounts and an assessment of additional attendees resulting from the funding.