Successful Funding Applications for the Waitaki District

Published on 30 June 2022

The Waitaki District Council has continued to be successful in securing funds from MBIE toward tourism facilities with the recent announcement of support to Council’s planned replacement of the Awamoa Toilet Blocks and improvements to the carpark area at the end of Bushey Beach Road.

Minister of Tourism, Stuart Nash and Associate Minister of Tourism, Penni Henare announced recipients of the sixth round of the Government’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF) with Waitaki District Council receiving $340,691.

“I want to congratulate all of the successful applicants in this round of funding. The TIF plays a key role in helping to support infrastructure that many small towns and districts cannot afford by themselves. Since 2017, the TIF has supported more than 200 projects totalling $91.3 million, which have improved the quality of tourism infrastructure for residents and visitors alike,” Stuart Nash said.

This year is also the first year of New Zealand’s newest public holiday: Matariki. The round 6 funding marked this occasion by considering infrastructure which supports the delivery and management of Matariki events.

Te Rūnanga o Moeraki made an application with letters of support from the WDC, Tourism Waitaki, Waitaki Whitestone Geopark, DDDA and Vanished World and was awarded $113,000 for improvements to Takiroa and Maerewhenua Rock Art Sites.

“Tourism forms an important part of our economy supporting many jobs and businesses. The Waitaki District Council welcomes the return of tourism to the region and is helping ensure tourism in Waitaki is sustainable. We welcome the support from the TIF to help us invest in our local tourism infrastructure which will enable us to improve the experience for visitors and amenities that residents use as well.” Said Chief Executive Alex Parmley.

Round six of TIF awarded over $15 million to sixty-two projects with over $450,000 coming in to the Waitaki District.