A diverse range of cultural, lifestyle and sporting events happening in Auckland over the coming financial year will receive public investment as part of Auckland’s Major Events Portfolio.
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) invests in major events on behalf of Auckland Council to generate economic and social benefits for the region and its people.
ATEED is investing in 20 major events in 2018/19, including 14 events that successfully applied for sponsorship through the annual contestable funding round.
The latest funding round saw ATEED receive 49 applications requesting a total of $8.9 million in sponsorship funding, with approximately $1.35 million available to allocate for contestable major events sponsorship.
Since Auckland’s Major Events Strategy was approved by Auckland Council in 2011, ATEED-sponsored major events have contributed $360 million to the regional economy and 2.2m visitor nights (from 2011/12 FY – 2016/17 FY).
ATEED Head of Major Events Stuart Turner says major events – defined by their scale and projected benefits – are recognised internationally as a means deliver significant social and economic outcomes for cities and their populations.
“Festivals like Tāmaki Herenga Waka and Pasifika help celebrate and demonstrate to Aucklanders and visitors what is unique about this place and its people.
“Events like the ITM Auckland SuperSprint and ASB Classic draw visitors from outside Auckland to come and enjoy what’s on offer here, and international broadcast coverage of them highlights Auckland as a host city and destination. And all these events provide work for local event operators, suppliers, services and workers.”
Auckland's Major Events Portfolio 2018/19
| Event | Date | Venue |
| FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers: Tall Blacks v China | 1 July 2018 | Spark Arena |
| 2018 Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival | 7 - 17 July 2018 | Various |
| New Zealand International Film Festival | 19 July – 5 August 2018 | Various |
| All Blacks vs Australia | 25 August 2018 | Eden Park |
| New Zealand Fashion Week | 24 August – 2 September 2018 | ANZ Viaduct Events Centre |
| Auckland On Water Boat Show | 27 – 30 September 2018 | ANZ Viaduct Events Centre and Viaduct Harbour |
| Auckland Diwali Festival | 20 - 21 October 2018 | Aotea Square |
| ASB Auckland Marathon | 28 October 2018 | Various |
| ITM Auckland SuperSprint | 2 - 4 November 2018 | Pukekohe Park Raceway |
| Farmers Santa Parade | 25 November 2018 | Central city |
| ASB Classic | 31 December 2018 – 12 January 2019 | ASB Tennis Arena |
| Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival | January 2019 | TBC |
| Auckland Lantern Festival | 14 – 17 February 2019 | Auckland Domain |
| Auckland Pride Parade | 16 February 2019 | Ponsonby Rd |
| Splore Music and Arts Festival | 21 – 24 February 2019 | Tapapakanga Regional Park |
| Sculpture on the Gulf | 25 January – 17 February 2019 | Waiheke |
| Pasifika Festival | 23 – 24 March 2019 | Western Springs Park |
| NZ International Comedy Festival | 1 - 26 May 2019 | Various |
| Auckland Writers Festival | 14 -19 May 2019 | Aotea Centre |
| Auckland Art Fair | 1 - 5 May 2019 | The Cloud |
*Confirmed events at 11 April 2017, details may be subject to change.
Of the 20 events confirmed for the 2018/19 portfolio, 14 are arts, lifestyle and cultural events, with the balance being sporting events.
Negotiations are now underway with event organisers/promoters/owners to confirm investment details and conditions. All ATEED funding for major events is subject to performance-based contracts.
All sponsored events in Auckland’s Major Events Portfolio are assessed for their ability to generate new money (GDP) for Auckland, grow domestic and international visitor nights, build awareness of Auckland internationally, and provide Aucklanders with the chance to enjoy world-class events.
ATEED takes a portfolio approach to major events. This sees the value of Auckland’s Major Events Portfolio as the combined results it delivers for generating visitor nights, regional GDP and liveability – making Auckland an interesting and desirable place to live, work, visit, play, study and invest.
Auckland’s Major Events Portfolio complements regional and community events, supported by other parts of the Auckland Council family, as well as the region’s arts, sporting and cultural organisations, and private-sector funded events.
- Aucklanders keen to keep up to date with major events can sign up to the What’s On in Auckland Facebook page.