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Applications are open for a share of Hamilton City Council’s Major Event Sponsorship Fund, with $137,000 available to support events that attract visitors and deliver economic and community benefits to the city.
The funding is aimed at new events with long-term potential, existing major events looking to grow, or significant one-off events.
Deputy mayor and major events subcommittee chair Geoff Taylor says the fund helps strengthen Hamilton’s events calendar.
“Events add life to our city. They bring people together, support local businesses and give Hamiltonians things to look forward to,” Geoff says.
“We want to back organisers who deliver real value for the community, and this fund helps them take their events to the next level.”
Some of the available funding has been reduced after the council introduced multi-year grants last year to provide greater certainty for some event organisers and reduce annual application requirements.
Events receiving multi-year support include Balloons over Waikato, Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora Ki Kirikiriroa, Round the Bridges, Z Manu World Champs, Porritt Classic, the Cambridge to Hamilton Paddle Race, the Hamilton Brick Show and the Aramex Kiwi Walk and Run Series Hamilton.
Applications will be assessed based on how well events align with the vision for Hamilton Kirikiriroa, the number of visitors expected to attend, how long they are likely to stay in the city and the level of community support.
Applications close on March 31, 2026.
Funding decisions are scheduled to be made at a major events subcommittee meeting on May 12, 2026.
More information about the fund and application process is available at: hamilton.govt.nz/community-support-and-funding/funding/major-event-sponsorship-fund
