Choosing the Right Fund for Your Event

The purpose of the Selwyn Strategic Events Fund is to support, and attract, major events that enhance the economic, cultural, and social benefits for the district.

• The District has a diverse range of events across the year.
• Enhanced sense of shared identity for the community.
• The local economy is boosted.
• Enhanced District profile as a tourism and event destination.
• Visitors are attracted to the District.

• Increased participation, engagement, and enjoyment for people - in initiatives including but not limited to - arts, culture, sport and recreation, community history/heritage, youth, older persons, and multi-cultural communities.
• The District’s unique taonga, history, stories, and places are promoted, protected, and celebrated.
• Community capability, sustainability and knowledge, is developed and groups are assisted to meet the needs of the community and collaborate to achieve common objectives.
• Initiatives that build community spirit, a sense of neighbourliness, belonging and connectedness are encouraged.
• Overall wellbeing of the residents is enhanced by supporting disadvantaged communities, removing barriers to participation, and empowering communities.
• Volunteering and an active and effective volunteering sector are encouraged and supported.
• The District’s diverse offerings and attractions are highlighted and visitors from outside the District are encouraged to visit.

• If the primary goal of the event is to drive economic benefit and attract high-value visitors, it fits best under the Strategic Events Fund.

• If the primary goal of the event is on community well-being and local resident participation  (even if it attracts some visitors), it fits best under the Community Fund.

• Large-scale events and/or multi-day events that attract significant audience numbers.
• Attracts visitors from outside the district, with over 20% of attendees being regional or national visitors who spend money in the district.
• Showcases Selwyn as a tourism destination, enhancing its appeal during off-peak seasons, highlighting Selwyn’s attributes, and aligning with its destination brand.

• Events created by and for the local community, primarily engaging residents and local groups.
• Aims to enhance community well-being, participation, and foster a sense of belonging.
• Highlights the district’s diverse offerings and attractions, potentially attracting some visitors from neighbouring areas while focusing on local community involvement.

• Emphasises the district’s unique identity by showcasing Selwyn’s distinctive attributes, including its natural environment, cultural values (such as biculturalism and multiculturalism), and commitment to sustainability and biodiversity.
• Highlights Selwyn as a desirable and liveable location, enhancing its regional and national profile.

• Promotes, protects, and celebrates the district’s unique taonga, history, stories, and places.
• Encourages initiatives that build community spirit, a sense of neighbourliness, belonging, and connectedness.
• Increases participation, engagement, and enjoyment in activities related to arts, culture, sport, recreation, community history/heritage, youth, older persons, and multicultural communities.

• Increasing visitation to Selwyn while boosting and retaining spending within the district, and outside of the event.
• Creating leverage and legacy opportunities by showcasing local businesses, developing new business ventures, and delivering lasting outcomes for the district.

• Generally contributing to spend at the event without significantly altering Selwyn’s broader economy.
• Creates opportunities to highlight local businesses and their contributions to the community.

• Utilise tools for measuring and reporting on visitor numbers, economic impact, and media reach, focusing on quantifiable outcomes.

• Focus on reporting community participation, engagement, and well-being outcomes.

• Attract regional, national, or international media coverage.
• Highlight Selwyn’s positive attributes.
• Enhance Selwyn’s profile as a tourism and event destination.

• Generate local media coverage.
• Highlight community stories and successes.
• Support efforts that attract some external interest but primarily focus on local media and community-based exposure.

The event should be consistent with the:

• Kai Aku Rika Selwyn Economic Development Strategy;
• Ōtautahi Christchurch Waitaha Canterbury Destination Management Plan;
• Selwyn Strategic Events Plan.

The event should align with the Selwyn District Council 2024-2034 Long-Term Plan Community Outcomes.