11. JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) Link to this
to the Minister of Internal Affairs
Why has the New Zealand 2011 Festival Lottery Fund been created?
Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister of Internal Affairs) Link to this
During the Rugby World Cup next year nationwide festivals will be held to celebrate New Zealand’s culture, heritage, and national identity. The New Zealand 2011 Festival Lottery Fund is providing $9.5 million in funding to support these festival events. The Rugby World Cup is the biggest sporting event ever held in New Zealand, and we want to maximise the community’s involvement. This funding will help communities and regions get involved in the spirit of the event.
This fund will support all sorts of events with a community purpose associated with the Rugby World Cup. This could include things like concerts, fairs, exhibitions, street markets, and parades. Applications are now open, and they close on 17 September. I encourage communities to come up with ideas and make their applications through the website of the Department of Internal Affairs.