$250k boost towards WOAP, Beervana with international push in mind
Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Two major foodie festivals have got a major funding boost from the government, with the hopes of drawing international foot traffic and talent.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced Tuesday the government has injected $250,000 from the Government’s Events Boost Fund to Wellington Culinary Events Trust, which runs Wellington on a Plate and Beervana.
The funding will be used for for the trust’s programming and marketing, including marketing Beervana in Australia and landing international chef collaborations for Wellington on a Plate.
“Festivals like Wellington on a Plate and Beervana, concerts and sports matches all bring life and energy to our cities. I'm proud to help boost these events for New Zealand,” Upston said.
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World of WearableArt and Lōemis also received funding, WellingtonNZ confirmed, with chief executive Mark Oldershaw saying the boost was significant and timely for Wellington’s event sector.
“This funding gives some of our flagship events the confidence to take bold steps forward – whether that’s elevating local talent, deepening international partnerships, or expanding the audiences to draw even more people to the city.
“It’s also an investment for Wellington’s identity and its future; therefore we are thrilled to see this from the Government,” he said.
Wellington Culinary Events Trust general manager Penny de Borst said, when it came to food and drink, Wellington had an energy you couldn’t find anywhere else.
“This funding means we can share that magic offshore and invite more people to experience it for themselves.
“It also lets us bring higher-profile chefs to New Zealand, so people can taste their food right here in Wellington, our hospitality community can learn from them, and Aotearoa’s incredible produce can be showcased in their hands,” she said.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the boost would generate more activity and employment for Wellington businesses, helping them raise their incomes and the incomes of their workers.
The intention of the package was to create excitement for events that would drive people into Wellington, she said.
“When Wellington on a Plate is happening, when Beervana is happening, you get more of a buzz. People are going out more. They're spending more, and that generates more opportunities for Wellingtonians,” Willis said.
The funding comes from the $70 million events and tourism package announced in September, which was created to attract visitors to our shores, Upston said.
“Across this package, it's all about how do we attract more visitors to New Zealand - how do we ensure they have a great experience while they're here?,” Upston said.
It was obvious during big holiday weekends, having exhibitions and events in the capital never failed to draw the crowds, she said.
The upcoming year would be about driving economic activity and confidence across the country, Upston said.
Tourism was New Zealand’s second largest export earner, so driving growth and tourism was a significant part of growing the country’s economy, she said.
The tourism industry contributed $17 billion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), and filled nearly one in ten jobs.
“[This] shows just how strong the hospitality sector is, and it's why we're also supporting a diverse calendar of regional events to encourage visitors across the country,” she said.
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