Tauranga City Council's redeveloped event funding framework is now open and event organisers are encouraged to submit applications for the community event fund, event support fund and major event fund.

The framework is designed to provide more inclusive and responsive funding support for all types of events and acknowledges the social, cultural and economic benefits that events bring to our city.

Tauranga City Council's Manager: City Events, Gareth Wallis, is proud to launch an updated funding strategy that reflects the needs of a growing city and events industry.

'Over the past year we've worked closely with our local event community and industry peers and have adapted our framework to be more event-friendly and accessible.

'Along with fund-specific criteria, events that are eligible for funding are required to champion and deliver on the framework's values and priorities.

'Inclusivity, safety and environmental kaitiakitanga (guardianship) are the integral guiding principles of the framework and we expect events to demonstrate these values to some degree, relevant to the size, scale and nature of the event.

'In addition, we've selected seven priorities as the current strategic focus – arts and culture, communities of need, healthy and active communities, kaupapa Māori, priority parks, unique to Tauranga and vibrant city centre.”

Council is committed to providing financial support to a diverse range of events that generate immediate and long-term value for the city, from community through to major domestic and international events.

The community event fund provides limited financial support to community-focused and/or community-led events that deliver good social outcomes for our diverse community. It is a contestable fund of $50,000 for the period 1 August 2018 to 30 June 2019, with a maximum grant of $5,000 per application.

The event support fund caters for a wide range of general event activity and initiatives across the city and is considered an intermediary step between the community event and the major event funds. It is a contestable fund of $150,000 for the period 1 August 2018 to 30 June 2019, with a maximum grant of $15,000 per application.

The purpose of the major event fund is to support events that drive economic growth and attract significant visitation and tourism.

Major events showcase Tauranga as a premiere event destination and an exciting place to live, work, play and visit.

It is a contestable fund of $250,000 for the period 1 August 2018 to 30 June 2019.

Council continues to work closely with current and potential event organisers to support Tauranga's growing reputation as an exciting and supportive events destination.

Council encourages event organisers who have an event in mind to find out more about our event funds at www.tauranga.govt.nz/eventfunding and submit an application.