Government events and tourism funding package

The story so far

The government announced a package of up to $70 million over two years to support New Zealand's tourism and events sectors, including $40 million to secure large-scale international events from 2026.^{14, 15 Sep 2025} A veteran music promoter said the funding would help bring major events and superstar acts back to New Zealand, and the package includes $45 million in new funding.^{15 Sep 2025} Ministers then said they would investigate whether planning rules and red tape limit Auckland's Eden Park, including its cap of 12 concerts a year, and whether loosening them could boost tourism and jobs.^{15, 16 Sep 2025} Local businesses argue concerts are more profitable than sports, while residents fear more concerts could cause suburb gridlock; a former prime minister noted the stadium has not reached its current concert limit.^{16 Sep 2025} Revenue Minister Chris Bishop, who leads RMA reform, has called the concert restrictions absurd and arbitrary, saying any review will be balanced and include community consultation.^{17 Sep 2025}

Latest

Chris Bishop described the Eden Park concert restrictions as absurd and arbitrary and said the review will include local community consultation, though no final decisions have been made.^{17 Sep 2025}

What's next

Any review of the Eden Park rules will include local community consultation, and no final decisions have been made.^{17 Sep 2025}

Key moments

1. 14 Sep 2025Government announces $70 million package for tourism and events over two years
2. 15 Sep 2025Promoter says funding could bring major superstar acts back to New Zealand
3. 15 Sep 2025Ministers to investigate whether Eden Park's rules limit economic potential
4. 16 Sep 2025Residents fear gridlock while businesses say concerts beat sports financially
5. 17 Sep 2025Chris Bishop calls Eden Park concert restrictions absurd and arbitrary

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.