We aim to connect the amazing social and economic benefits of events to the strategic vision of our growing city.
The purpose of our event funding framework is to deliver on this aspiration by providing financial support to events that champion our event funding values and priorities.
Values
The following values are integral guiding principles of the event funding framework. We expect events supported by the event funding framework to demonstrate all values to some degree, relevant to the size, scale and nature of the event. Our funding decisions are heavily weighted towards these principles and we recommend that all applicants take the time to meaningfully address these areas in their application.
Events that deliver a safe environment for participants and spectators.
We are committed to promoting good health and safety practices at events held in Tauranga to ensure that everyone has a positive experience and returns home safely to their whanau.
Event organisers are responsible for planning and managing risk at their event(s) by taking all reasonably practicable steps to deliver a healthy and safe event environment for participants, spectators and event staff.
We are here to support event organisers in developing a plan to deliver a safe event. Please consult our event health and safety guidelines to understand our expectations.
Event health and safety guidelines
Events that encourage social inclusiveness and accessibility for our diverse communities.
To ensure a higher standard of living for all, our residents need to feel a sense of civic pride and belonging.
We will support event organisers that take positive steps towards making their event more accessible and socially inclusive for our diverse community.
Event organisers should give consideration to creating opportunities that, among other things:
- engage youth and encourage participation
- are age-friendly
- celebrate diversity and inclusion
- make provisions for vulnerable/disadvantaged communities to attend and participate, and/or
- reduce barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating.
Tauranga City Council Youth Action Plan (215kb pdf) Event accessibility toolkit (3mb pdf)
Events that demonstrate the importance of protecting and enhancing our natural environment.
We aspire to ensure a balance between a growing city and a healthy natural environment.
Our environment is the foundation of our city. It is imperative that event organisers consider the impact events have on our natural systems and surroundings, and manage environmental risks accordingly.
No matter the size or scale of the event, event organisers will need to take into account the following environmental considerations when planning and delivering their event:
- resource recovery and waste minimisation, including waste generated by the event and its spectators/participants (e.g. prizes/giveaways, packaging, goody bags etc.)
- the role of public transport (e.g. can you encourage alternative transport options that reduce the reliance on private vehicle use?)
- wastewater run off (e.g. have you considered where your wastewater is going?)
- fresh water supply (e.g. have you considered where your water supply is coming from?)
- protecting the natural environment (e.g. how does your event impact on the land, marine and coastal areas? How does your event effect air quality and the atmosphere?)
- noise management (e.g. how does the noise generated by your event impact on local residents and businesses?).
We have some valuable resources available in relation to event waste management.
Event waste management
Priorities
The following priorities are the current strategic focus areas for the event funding framework. Events are required to measurably demonstrate one or more of these priorities. Our funding decisions are heavily weighted towards our priorities (and values) and we recommend that all applicants take the time to meaningfully address these areas in their application.
We are committed to celebrating our diverse cultural identities and fostering the creative arts to enhance the wellbeing of our community. We support events that provide access to, and participation in, arts and culture and clearly deliver on any of the goals outlined on page 10 of the ‘Toi Moana – Arts and Culture Strategy’.
Arts and culture strategy
We welcome events to our city that encourage physical and mental wellness and reduce the barriers to participation for all. We support events that inspire social connectivity and promote healthy living.
We value the strong whanaungatanga we have with tangata whenua and recognise the importance of nurturing Māoritanga principles.
We are interested in supporting events that are driven by tangata whenua, promote and share tikanga Māori, and/or bring awareness to events of historical significance for Tauranga Moana Māori.
Large sporting and active leisure events not only bring athletes, enthusiasts and spectators from around New Zealand to Tauranga, they also showcase our city to the world and build pride in our community. We are interested in supporting events that allow a large number of participants and/or spectators (i.e. 3,000 people or more) to take part. These sporting events can be hosted by independent event organisations or local, national and/or international sporting bodies, seeking to strengthen and develop their respective codes or active leisure activities in our city.
Event funds
The event funding framework consists of four event funds. Learn about the funding criteria, timeframes and the application process.
Fund update: Please note that all four funds have been closed for the 2019/2020 financial year (events occurring between 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020). We are continuing to accept applications for events that occur from 1 July 2020 onwards and encourage event organisers to submit their applications early to provide the best possible chance at receiving funding support.
For alternative funding options in the region check out the great list of funding organisations on the TECT website.
Our fund for community-focused and/or community-led events that deliver good social outcomes for our diverse communities and encourage civic pride.
Community event fund
This is an intermediary step between our community event fund and the major event fund, supporting a wide range of general event activity and initiatives across the city.
Event support fund
This fund is designed to provide ongoing financial support to events that have proven longevity and are important to the cultural and social identity of Tauranga.
Legacy event fund
Our fund for events that drive economic growth and attract significant visitation and tourism. Major events will showcase Tauranga as a premiere event destination and an exciting place to live, work, play and visit.
Major event fund
Funded events
Since the inception of the event funding framework in July 2018, Council provided funding to a broad range of events.
A list of all funded events will be coming soon.
Last Reviewed: 17/09/2019