1. Tourism Growth Partnership – Round 5
Diane Drummond – Programme Manager
Danielle McKenzie – Senior Policy Advisor
Contact:

2. Context
The Tourism Growth Partnership (TGP) is a Government initiative aimed at driving strategic changes required to overcome constraints to growth of the tourism sector and lift the value international tourism delivers to New Zealand
The Government has created two separate streams for TGP funding
the Productivity and Innovation stream (TGP-I) and
the Regional stream (TGP-R)
Applicants can only apply for funding from one stream in any given round for a single project

3. Productivity and Innovation Stream (TGP-I)
$4 million per annum
Assessment made on:
Achievement of TGP-I objectives
Impact on funding
Wider business benefits
Ability to deliver
Alignment with Portfolio Statement
Requirement to have at least 50 per cent monetary co-investment from the industry
No significant difference from previous rounds

4. Regional Stream (TGP-R)
$4 million per annum
Assessment made on:
Regional job growth and tourism potential
Tourism growth
Impact of funding
Ability to deliver
Significant differences from previous rounds
Requirement to have a meaningful level of monetary co-investment from the industry
May have Lottery funding recognised

5. Process
The process for TGP funding proposals follows six stages:

6. Feasibility Stream (TGP-F)
The TGP now offers funding to help new or existing tourism businesses assess the costs, potential market achievability and risks of their business proposition for their regions
Applications accepted at any time
$250,000 + GST available per annum
Maximum $25,000 + GST per application
Projects can have a future focus to TGP-R or TGP-I funding applications
Industry co-investment required at a meaningful level

7. Timelines Round 5 Opens Early September Round 5 Closes 12 October
Panel meets 1 December
Decisions December
Announcements Early 2017
Round 6 expected to open in April 2017

8. Regional Mid-Sized Tourism Facilities Fund – Round 1
Ben Pringle – Policy Advisor
Contact:

9. Context $12 million fund over four years – two funding rounds per year
Aimed at delivering visitor-related infrastructure in communities facing funding constraints and high visitor growth
The MFF could cover visitor-related facilities like toilets, carparks, waste disposal and minor water management projects
Open to proposals from territorial authorities, or other entities that have received support from their local council to apply
Announced in Budget 2016
Will help communities manage visitor numbers and maximise their visitor growth potential
Not glamorous but vital to delivering high quality visitor experience
This could look like a letter signed by a Chief Executive

10. The Fund’s scope
Demand: projects must respond to visitor demand, have local support and deliver regional economic benefits
Co-funding: applicants must show they have maximised their contribution
Project readiness: projects must be ‘shovel ready’ and deliverable within a six-month timeframe
Scope for projects: applicants must show that a one-off grant from the MFF can deliver facilities that respond to visitor growth, while not competing with commercial activities in the region
Demand: applicants need to demonstrate that there is visitor demand for the proposed infrastructure, and that there is local support. However, projects that are likely to solely benefit locals will not be eligible. Applicants also need to show what regional economic benefits will come from it.
Co-funding: applicants need to be able to demonstrate what priority they are placing on the project by the extent they maximise their contribution. Projects must require co-funding of $100,000 (excl. GST) to be eligible. We will attempt to fund as many worthy projects as possible. There is no upper limit for projects (noting the total fund amount of $3 million and 6-month timeframe)
Project readiness: projects must be ‘shovel ready’ and demonstrate that MFF funding is integral to delivering the proposed facility within a six-month timeframe
Scope for projects: The MFF only offers one-off, project specific grants – unlike the TGP it will not fund multi-stage projects. The MFF aims to enable the construction of new or enhanced facilities that respond to growing visitor demand. For example, overhauling an existing single toilet with a block of Exeloo toilets. However, the upgrading or replacing of aged facilities is unlikely to receive funding, as it is generally the responsibility of the local council alone

11. The Fund’s scope (continued)
Identified needs and direct tourism benefits: priority given to projects which immediately improve the region’s offering in response to visitor growth
Wider tourism and regional growth benefits: projects should enhance the location’s overall tourism potential and deliver positive impacts to the community
Project readiness
Extent of co-funding

12. Process The process for MFF funding proposals follows six stages:
Round one remains open until Sept 15
Applications will be subjected to an eligibility screen – must meet all elig. criterion to move onto full assessment panel. Some flexibility exists:
The applicant decided to proceed with a project after the Fund was announced on May 13 – provided they are in all other ways eligible
They must complete their project by 31 December 2016
Six month construction timeline may be extended for applicants facing constraints such as their remote location, scarcity of suppliers etc. However as we will be running two rounds per year they may decide to re-apply in the next round
The Assessment Panel, comprising MBIE tourism and procurement, DIA local government and a probity auditor from MBIE legal, will rank all eligible proposals. These are:
Identified needs and direct tourism benefits: priority given to projects which immediately improve the region’s tourism offering in response to visitor growth; priority given to applicants facing funding constraints
Project readiness and detailed programme: projects must comply with all relevant construction standards; priority given to projects that detail how ongoing maintenance will be provided without the need for further government support
Extent of co-funding: priority given to projects already included on a territorial authority’s planning document and to projects where all other funding options have been tested
Wider tourism and regional growth benefits: projects should enhance the location’s overall tourism potential, deliver positive impacts to the community and align with regional strategies

13. Timelines Round 1 Opens 17 August 2016 Round 1 Closes 15 September
Panel meets 4 October
MBIE Decisions 12 October
Announcements 17 October
MBIE will move quickly once contingent decisions have been made, aiming to have funding decisions announced by mid-October and projects delivered as soon as practically possible.