Kites, kai and local kōrero receive support through 2019 Kāpiti Major Events Fund

The Kāpiti Coast District Council has awarded $175,000 to five local events that showcase a distinctly Kāpiti flavour and provide return on investment for the local economy.

Trail running event XTERRA Wellington, Māoriland Film Festival, Kāpiti Food Fair, FFFLAIR and the Ōtaki Kite Festival will each receive support through the 2019 Kāpiti Major Events Fund to deliver their events within the next year.

“We were really impressed by the quality of applications we received through this funding round,” says James Jefferson, Group Manager Place & Space.

“This year we added additional funds and clarified application criteria regarding what types of events might be successfully selected for financial support. This has resulted in some fresh ideas as well as continued support for events that have already proven themselves iconic to Kāpiti.

“Hosting a diverse calendar of events attracts visitors to our district, allows us to celebrate what we love the most about Kāpiti and is a key driver in delivering long-term economic development.”

2019 Major Events Fund recipients:

Event/Funding in 2019/2020/Event date

XTERRA Wellington / $20,000 / 19 May 2020 at Whareroa Farm, near Paekakariki.

Māoriland Film Festival / $55,000 / 18-22 March 2020 in Ōtaki.

Kāpiti Food Fair / $25,000 / 30 November 2019 at Mazengarb Reserve in Paraparaumu.

FFFLAIR / $50,000 / 26 February to 1 March 2020 at Otaraua Park, between Waikanae and Otaihanga.

Ōtaki Kite Festival / $25,000 / 8 February 2020 at Ōtaki Beach. 

The Kāpiti Major Events Fund was established by the Council in 2016 to help promote and grow a vibrant major events portfolio that brings economic benefit to the district.

Find out more about the Fund here: www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/majoreventsfund

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Kāpiti flavoured events offered a chance at funding

Costella

The 2019 Kāpiti Major Events Fund, offered through the Kāpiti Coast District Council’s economic development programme, has opened for applications to run events that have a unique Kāpiti flavour and will help bring visitors to the District.

Council approved a $40,000 addition from its economic development budget to the contestable fund this week, bringing the amount available to support events that will build the Kāpiti District’s long-term economy to $200,000.

Kāpiti Coast District Council Economic Development Manager Darryn Grant says the Council has also updated the application criteria this year to help make it more clear for applicants what types of events might be successfully selected for financial support.

“The additional funds in the pool this year mean we can look at supporting new or bigger events  that show the potential to be self-sustaining in future years and bring long-term benefit to the District,” Mr Grant says.

“We’re definitely hoping to see some fresh ideas as well as continuing to build events that have already become iconic ones in Kāpiti.

“We’re keen to hear what innovative ideas are out there to showcase and profile the Kāpiti Coast and its community and in particular, attract visitors in the off-season between April and October.

“Our goal is to build a diverse calendar of events that attracts visitors, adds vibrancy to our communities and ultimately provide a return on investment for the local economy,” he says.

A maximum funding level has been set for the major event category which event organisers can apply for, spreading available funds across a range of event types and activities. This includes an allowance for events that are at the conceptual stage and require feasibility studies to get them off the ground.

Over the past three years eight Kāpiti events have received funding support, including the Kāpiti Food Fair, the Maoriland Film and Ōtaki Kite festivals, Coastella and the Kāpiti Coast Jazz Festival.

The full criteria and information about how to make an application are on the Council’s website. Applications close on Wednesday 24 July at midday.

The fund was established by the Council in 2016 to help develop and grow signature events on the Kāpiti Coast, with event development identified as a key driver in achieving long-term economic development in the District.

Final decisions about which events will receive funding will be made by the Council on 8 August 2019.

www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/majoreventsfund

-KCDC