Three signature events and a mix of grassroots and up-and-coming initiatives will benefit from South Wairarapa District Council’s new Economic Development Fund.
Featherston Booktown, New Zealand Festival of Christmas (based in Greytown), and Martinborough’s Pour and Explore will receive a funding boost following the Economic Growth Committee’s inaugural meeting on Thursday 19 March 2026, when committee members agreed these events were vital in attracting visitors to South Wairarapa during the quieter winter months.
The Economic Development Fund had a pool of $180,000 to fund South Wairarapa events and initiatives that showcase our district as a destination while strengthening local tourism and placemaking events.
South Wairarapa Mayor Fran Wilde said when it came to distributing the fund it was important to focus on the district’s anchor events.
“As major funders step back, it’s more important than ever to protect our anchor events. If we don’t sustain them, we risk losing valuable visitation during the winter months.”
Economic Growth Committee Chair Councillor Chris Archer agreed, saying investing in major events supports surrounding businesses and helps smaller initiatives grow.
“The flagship events generate momentum for smaller initiatives and businesses – they’re the seedbed from which future local events can grow.”
The fund attracted 45 applications, with a valued request of around $1.2 million.
As the fund was heavily oversubscribed in term of funds requested, to ensure good, transparent and equitable decision making, the Committee agreed to shortlist applicants to present.
A total of 12 applicants presented to the committee in a publicly excluded session. This ensured applicants’ private and commercially sensitive information was protected and enabled elected members to have free and frank discussion.
From the shortlist, Committee members applied a weighted scoring process to identify the strongest applications.
A total of 10 groups received an allocation of the $180,000 Economic Development Fund, which was established by the Council in December 2025.
| Group | Granted | Project name | Brief |
| Booktown Festival Trust | $49,999 | Karukatea Booktown Festival 2026 | Recognised as a global drawcard for talent, and a much loved festival in the community |
| Country Village Heaven Trust | $49,999 | New Zealand Festival of Christmas 2026 | A well-established festival, and family favourite that started off the back of covid |
| Featherston Heritage Museum | $10,000 | Featherston Heritage Festival 2026 | After a successful first year, this Festival is set to grow and support heritage and history |
| Greytown Little Theatre | $3,000 | Studio 73 upgrades | Enhancing the studio to allow for more events, and booking acts |
| Marinborough Business Association | $35,000 | Pour and Explore Marinborough 2026 | Following its inaugural event last year, Pour and Explore is set to return in 2026 |
| Marinborough Music Festival | $10,000 | Marinborough Music Festival 2026 | A much-loved chamber music festival with international acts and visitors |
| Molewood Orchard | $2,000 | Apple Harvest Festival 2026 | A grassroots festival with growth potential |
| Ruamāhanga Farm Foundation | $5,000 | WaiWetland Explore | A collaboration with Green Jersey Cycle tours, exploring the moana |
| Tora Bombora | $10,000 | Tora Bombora Festival | Tora Bombora returns as one of the coastal festivals of the season |
| Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve | $5,000 | Capability Building | An investment into our districts astro-tourism economy, featured as a Destination in Lonely Planet |