Major Events Fund

Hutt City Council (“Council”) recognises the significant economic and social benefits that can be derived from large scale events held within the City.  The aim of the Major Events Fund is to help deliver events that provide significant economic benefits to the City, increase visitation to Hutt City and create vitality within Hutt City. 

 

Generally, these events have the ability to attract large numbers of participants or spectators, achieve significant media attention and create vibrancy in the City. 

The Major Events Fund is set at a maximum level of funding each year. Funding from the Major Events Fund is generally capped at $10,000 per event.  However, funding over this amount may be available to selected parties. 

Smaller community-based events are valuable in terms of local development and involvement and funding is available for these through either the Community Events Fund or Community Engagement Fund. 

 

Eligibility Criteria

Council encourages and invites applications from organisations and businesses, which meet the following criteria:  

• Applicant must be either a Incorporated Society; Trust or Association; or a Business recognised under the Companies Act 1993 (certificate or documentation of proof must be supplied)
• The event must be held in a public place within Hutt City Council boundaries or have a significant benefit for Hutt City businesses
• The event makes a positive contribution to achieving Council’s Community Outcomes as listed in the current Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP).  Please see attached Appendix One for further information.
• Funding will be granted for one year only.  Applicants should indicate if the intention is to apply for more than one year.
• Applications are generally limited to a maximum of 33% (one-third) of the total event budget.

 

Assessment Criteria

 

Eligible applications will be prioritised according to their consistency with the following criteria:

• Economic Benefit & Visitation: the degree to which the event or activity provides measurable economic benefit to Hutt City through visitor spend (regional, national and international) and/or through building capability for a sector of the local economy. 
• Uniqueness: the degree to which the event is unique to Hutt City. 
• Profile – Media Opportunities: the extent to which the event provides opportunity to raise positive awareness of or increase the profile of Hutt City and Council. 
• Timing of Event: when the event is to be held during the calendar year, i.e. during off-peak or high peak periods (January – March) of events within the City and region. 
• Viability of Event/Other Funding Support: the degree to which the event is financially viable and sustainable with or without Council funding. 
• Community, Social, Cultural & Benefits:  the degree of consistency with Council outcomes in the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) and other relevant Council policies and strategies. 
• Risk profile: the expertise and capability of the event organiser to manage the event, associated risks (e.g. weather, health and safety) and realise the event objectives.

 

How to Apply

 

Applications for funding are to be completed by the applicant and will be accepted at any stage during Council’s financial year (July - June) dependent on funding available.  Processing applications can take up to one month and Council will only consider events with at least a three month lead-in time.    

The application is then considered by Council and successful applicants will be required to enter into a written funding agreement that details roles, obligations and responsibilities and payment schedules.  Funding is usually paid in installments, with the final installment being paid after the event has been conducted and the post evaluation received.

 

 

For further information or assistance with your application, please contact

Recreation & Event Manager

Leisure Active Business Unit

Phone: 04 560 0302  Fax:  04 560 0400

Email: eventlink@huttcity.govt.nz