Tourism business funding results

More than 100 mostly Te Anau-based businesses benefitted from almost $2.7 million in funding from the Government's Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-set Plan, which closed in August 2022. The fund was established to support businesses in five communities within NZ that relied on international tourism when international borders closed due to Covid. Te Anau was identified as one of these. 

Beyond 2025 Southland update

Beyond 2025 Southland is the long-term planning workstream as part of the Government's Southland Just Transition Workplan, which Great South has been contracted to deliver. The plan is due for release at the end of June 2023. Work on the 16 workstreams is well underway, and this newsletter will include updates in the lead up to the launch.

Fiordland Regional Event Fund: round five now open

A further round of the Fiordland Regional Event Fund is now open, with $54,000 available for events that attract visitors to Fiordland from outside of the region. The fund was established by the government as part of its post COVID-19 Tourism Recovery package and is administered by Great South. Already, $574,600 has been distributed to more than 30 events in Fiordland across four funding rounds. A $180,000 fund for Southland events was exhausted in October 2021.

Hops - new industry for Southland?

Great South supports the development of new industry in Southland and it was great to be part of the recent Garston Hops open day. Hops grow quickly and sequester carbon so are an ideal industry for helping meet Net Zero goals by 2050. See more in the One News story at the button below.

Southland: Home of Agritourism

A campaign is underway promoting Southland as the home of Agritourism. Agriculture is key to our economy and our regional story. The campaign highlights the various ways to engage with the land in our region from events such as A&P Shows to farmstays, tours, rural heritage activities or paddock-to-plate food experiences. More information about Southland's agritourism offerings can be found at the button below.

Time to Esk-plore your city!

It's time to celebrate the newly developed Invercargill City Centre! Great South, along with ICC, Invercargil Central and NRG bring you Esk-plore your city Streetfest. This event on 25 February will feature local artists and entertainers. You can find more information at the button below.

Callaghan - New to R&D Grant

Callaghan Innovation has a new funding grant available called New to R&D. More than just a grant, it supports businesses to develop R&D capability and to access future R&D funding. You'll need to show you're in it for the long-term. To check if you might be eligible for this grant click on the button below or contact the Great South business team.

Sustainable tourism programme

Following the success of the 12-week pilot Murihiku Sustainable Tourism Programme, expressions of interest are now being taken for the next intake in 2023. Learn how to measure carbon emissions, write a sustainability and decarbonisation strategy, receive support with marketing and sharing your sustainability story. For more information contact Destination Development Manager Amie young. Email amie@greatsouth.nz

Tourism recovery innovation programme

Applications are now open for the $54 million Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery that will support unique and transformative ideas that improve the tourism sector.The programme will co-fund grants for projects that encourage transformative innovation, meaning a disruptive shift in systems, business models, processes, experiences, or products that create a meaningful impact across the New Zealand-Aotearoa visitor journey. Find out more at the button below.