Hon Paula Bennett
Minister of Tourism
15 March 2017 Media Statement
Government prepared to fund priority tourism infrastructure
Tourism Minister Paula Bennett has thanked Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) for its tourism wish list worth $1.4
billion but rejects that most of these should be funded by Government.
LGNZ yesterday revealed details of a survey commissioned by Tourism IndustryAotearoa, which identified $1.4 billion of
local infrastructure projects that might potentially be useful in responding to ongoing tourism growth.
“I absolutely agree that there are some areas of tourism infrastructure that need to be addressed and that some of these
will need help from central Government. However, the list the LGNZ has referenced includes things like town halls,
council facilities, airport runway extensions, airport upgrades and expressways,” Mrs Bennett says.
“These are either already funded by other areas of Government, are not considered a priority or should be funded by
local councils. My priority is to support smaller councils with low rate bases with essential facilities. I am currently
working with officials to establish how best to do this.
“Government is working with local councils to help with tourism infrastructure. Today we opened another round of the
Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund of $5.5 million to help co-fund things traditionally funded by local
councils like public toilets, car parking facilities and freedom camping facilities. This comes on top of the $12
million announced in last year’s budget.
“I think most taxpayers would agree that restoring old council chambers is not a priority in terms of tourism
infrastructure,” Mrs Bennett says.