Event Funding

Looking to bring your event to life?

Whether you're organising a local community gathering or planning a major event, finding the right funding is crucial to your success.

This page brings together funding opportunities from across New Zealand, from council grants supporting grassroots community events to central government programs for major festivals and sporting occasions. Explore available grants, understand eligibility criteria, and discover which funding streams align with your event's goals and scale.

Stay updated with the latest funding announcements and application deadlines to ensure you don't miss out on opportunities to make your event a reality.

Regional Funding from RTOs and Councils

NZEA has curated a list of current funds and grants available for events across New Zealand. From small community gatherings to major regional events, local councils and Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) offer a wide range of funding opportunities to support event organisers throughout the country.

Whether you're seeking support for venue hire, event promotion, waste minimisation, or large-scale event delivery, explore the funding options available in your region below. Each fund has unique criteria, application timeframes, and grant amounts, click through to find the right fit for your event.

If we’ve missed any funds, let us know!

Government Funding

The Major Events Fund

The Major Events Fund (formerly the Major Events Development Fund) is an investment fund that supports major events to achieve specific outcomes that align with government priorities. The Major Events Fund has a $60 million five-year appropriation. It is a contestable fund that is not intended as a source of ongoing, year-on-year investment in events.

Find out more

Events Boost Fund

The Events Boost Fund is a one-off $10 million fund which aims to increase international visitation and drive economic activity in the short-term through supporting the growth and promotion of events.

Find out more
View recipients announced to date

Regional Events Promotion Fund

The Regional Events Promotion Fund (REPF) provided $5 million over 2 years to support the promotion of regional events to domestic audiences across New Zealand.

This contestable fund was designed to encourage regional dispersal and boost visitor spending beyond our main centers, with particular emphasis on promoting events outside the peak summer season to support year-round tourism.

This fund has been fully allocated. View the successful recipients to see which events received funding support.

Round 1 recipients
Round 2 recipients