Horowhenua Major Events Fund

Events must take place, or partly take place in the Horowhenua District.  If the event partly takes place in the Horowhenua District, the level of investment needs to be of the same value or more as activities within the event happening outside of the Horowhenua District.

To be eligible to receive Major Event Funding the event must:

• be classified as a Tier One event
• be run by a recognised legal entity such as a business or a not-for-profit organisation (individuals may not apply)
• take place, or partly take place, in the Horowhenua District. If the event partly takes place in the Horowhenua District, the level of investment needs to be of the same value or more as activities within the event happening outside of the Horowhenua District
• have confirmed at least 30% of costs
• demonstrate how Council funding will be used and show how residual costs after allowing for Council funding will be covered
• have shown how the previous event met objectives, if applying for repeat funding
• meet any other eligibility criteria outlined in the application form including $5million Public Liability Insurance Coverage for the event and the land the event is held on.
• include Horowhenua NZ branding on event collateral and include Horowhenua District Council Communications team in event collateral approvals.
• provide confirmation of any consenting and landowner approval requirements and the status of any required consents / approvals
• take place within nine months of a grant being approved.

To be eligible to receive Strategic Growth Funding the event must:

• be classified as a Tier Two event
• be run by a recognised legal entity such as a business or a not-for-profit organisation (individuals may not apply)
• take place, or partly take place, in the Horowhenua District. If the event partly takes place in the Horowhenua District, the level of investment needs to be of the same value or more as activities within the event happening outside of the Horowhenua District
• demonstrate how Council funding will be used and show how residual costs after allowing for Council funding will be covered
• provide confirmation of any consenting and landowner approval requirements and the status of any required consents / approvals
• meet any other eligibility criteria outlined in the application form including proof of at least $5million Public Liability Insurance Coverage for the event and the land the event is held on.
• include Horowhenua NZ branding on event collateral and include Horowhenua District Council Communications team in event collateral approvals.
• take place within nine months of a grant being approved (or first event for multi-year events).

Events will be assessed against the following criteria:

Preference may be given to events which:

• are run by a professional event manager
• closely align with Horowhenua Destination Management objectives of growth, environmental sustainability and inclusivity
• don't coincide with any other major events in the Manawatū region, unless compatible
• where practicable, leverage local businesses to provide event support.

• Destination marketing
• Local marketing
• Visitor experience survey costs
• Translation and design work in relation to using Te Reo Māori in event names and marketing collateral
• Operational costs including but not exclusive to venue, stage, lighting, and performance costs
• Health and safety costs
• Waste minimisation and management costs
• Personnel costs to undertake event management, marketing and sponsorship / funding.

There is no limit on how much to ask for however the financial stability of an event is considered as part of the application review process.

Yes, you're able to apply to other funding agencies.

Strategic Growth Fund events may not apply for additional Horowhenua District Council funding.

• Materials or supplies needed to run your event
• Venue or equipment hire
• Personnel and administrative costs for short-term projects
• Promotion and publicity of your event.

Costs may vary depending on the nature of your organisation. If in doubt, please contact us.

The fund doesn't support Tier Three community events.

Terms and Conditions for the Horowhenua Major Events Fund are available below.

Horowhenua Major Events Fund Terms & Conditions(PDF, 217KB)

The following tier definitions apply to events.

The event manager:

• must demonstrate sufficient prior experience of running a Tier One or Tier Two event
• have fulfilled the terms of any previous funding contract and reported back to Council sufficiently on any previous funding received through the Major Events Fund and any other Council fund.

If you're still unsure, please get in touch with our Events team by emailing events@horowhenua.govt.nz or phone us on 06 366 0999.

Yes, you can still submit an EOI. You'll be required to confirm your event date and venue if your EOI is progressed.

No sorry, your event should not commence until your funding has been approved.

The Strategic Growth Fund may be awarded to the same event more than once, so long as event organisers take steps to transition their event to a Tier One event. Funding per application will not exceed $10,000 per annum.

All Horowhenua District Council grants and funding go through the Community Funding and Recognition Committee of Council. This includes five nominated councillors with the delegated authority of the full Council.

Yes, following your event you'll be required to submit a post-event report to Council within three months of the event being held.

The report must include the following information:

• Attendance figures including a breakdown of visitor origin and visitor overnight stay in the district
• Information on the level of visitor spending within the Horowhenua District
• Robust analysis of event outcomes, including estimated economic impacts
• A post-event visitor satisfaction survey analysis
• Full financial report, including receipts and invoices showing how the funds were spent
• Marketing and media outcomes.

You'll need to submit the following supporting documents:

• An Expression of Interest form to be completed prior to an application form being submitted.
• Completed application form which will request:
  - Information on the organisation seeking funding, its primary business purpose, experience, and areas of expertise
  - Information on the primary event manager and their prior major event experience
  - Description of the event, including objectives and expected economic outcomes
  - Details on how the organisation will manage environmental impacts from the event and follow waste minimisation processes.
• Project plans and timelines, health and safety plans and security plans.
• Risk assessment for any proposed event
• A detailed budget, including breakdown of whether costs are confirmed or estimates, and competitive quotes for the amounts requested
• A detailed marketing and communication plan
• Previous financial accounts for the organisation
• Adequate underwriting provisions and insurance cover
• Robust governance and event delivery structures that are / will be in place.

Whether your application for Horowhenua Major Events Fund is approved or declined, we'll let you know the outcome within six weeks. This will be by email.

If you're successful, you'll then be sent a letter of intent which must be completed and signed before the funds are paid to you.

Yes, your event must take place within nine months of the grant being approved.