Tourism fund easier to access

The Government has made its $100 million tourism fund easier to access, after lobbying from 34 councils.

Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis said improvements to the Tourism Infrastructure Fund meant a broader range of projects would be funded. The changes also meant faster decision-making on projects pitched by councils.

The fund, which was started by the previous government last year, provides for $100m over four years for visitor-related public infrastructure.

This includes projects such as a $1.4m upgrade of visitor infrastructure in Hahei to respond to growth at nearby Cathedral Cove.

So far, $33.8m has been awarded to 80 projects from the fund.

Davis said although the Government had run two successful funding rounds, the initial criteria created barriers for some councils. But the changes “remove those barriers and will improve how the fund works”.

The changes include lowering the minimum funding threshold for a project from $100,000 to $25,000. They also streamline decisionmaking by allowing the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to make decisions up to $1m.

“I asked for this review because I want the Government to be an enabler to tourism and the regions,” Davis said. “The feedback from councils made it clear we needed to improve the criteria.”

The criteria changes follow a review by MBIE and Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), which heard from 34 councils.