Public events as part of next year's nationwide Rugby World Cup
festival will be supported by a new NZD9.5 million lotteries fund,
Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully and Internal Affairs
Minister Nathan Guy announced today.
"During Rugby World Cup 2011 we will be staging a nationwide
festival which will showcase the best of New Zealand's arts, food
and wine, heritage, entertainment, experiences, and lifestyle," Mr
McCully said.
"The New Zealand 2011 Festival Lottery Fund will support all
sorts of community events associated with the festival. This could
include everything from concerts, fairs, and exhibitions, to street
markets and parades."
Funding can go towards management and operating costs, artists'
fees, publicity, and production costs.
"Rugby World Cup 2011 will be the largest sporting event ever
held in New Zealand, and we want to maximise community
involvement," Mr Guy said.
"With 23 centres hosting either games or teams, the celebrations
and the economic benefits are going to be spread throughout the
country. This funding will ensure the opportunities to be part of
the Rugby World Cup festival are equally widespread."
Mr McCully said the lottery fund would complement the
significant investment that regions and the government were already
making in the nationwide festival.
The fund will be administered by the Department of Internal
Affairs, and decisions will be made by members of the 2011 Group -
Bob Parker, Sir David Gascoigne, Bob Harvey, Sharon Hunter and
Wally Stone. Applications for grants open today (28 July), and
close on 17 September. Recipients will be advised in early
November.
The funding has been allocated by the Lottery Grants Board,
which distributes the profits of New Zealand Lotteries (including
Lotto and Instant Kiwi) to various statutory bodies and
distribution committees.
www.nz2011.govt.nz
Source: Media Statement - Hon Murray McCully, Minister for
the Rugby World Cup; Hon Nathan Guy, Minister of Internal
Affairs