One of the first races of the afternoon gets underway on day one at the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals on Lake Karāpiro 2023..
Fifty one Waipā organisations have shared more than $190,000 worth of promotion and event funds and next year’s Waka Ama national sprint championships gets $15,000, the highest grant.
The council’s District Promotions committee this week allocated $165,200 from its 2023/24 fund and $26,000 from the community events pot.
The money goes to applicants who demonstrate their event can promote Waipā as an attractive place to live, work, invest in or visit.
The events’ fund supports grass-roots events which create opportunities to build and celebrate community pride and for communities to connect and celebrate diversity.
Rangiaowhia commemorates 160 years next year. Photo: Benjamin Wilson.
Notable grants were made to the Rangiaowhia 160 years commemoration next year and a Cambridge Light and Sound Show.
Four events missed out including the Cambridge Festival of Sport which was told to come back to the committee when organisers had more event details confirmed.
The committee had $150,000 to distribute plus another $29,000 rolled over from unspent funds last year.
Thirty eight applicants requested $320,000.
Event and Marketing advisor Claire Culph said the events team planned and executed seven council-run events during this financial year.
The Balloons over Waikato was planned but cancelled due to the weather.
Others which went ahead were Te Awa River Ride cycleway opening celebration, Cambridge Skatepark opening, IBCPC Dragon Boating street parade and community party, Leamington Domain reserve management plan engagement, Kihikihi playground opening and the King’s Coronation.
Rocking it: Florence Hubert, 17 months, rocking it at the Family Fun Day at Leamington Domain to the music of entertainer Jack Wallis.
Committee members were: Marcus Gower (chair), Liz Stolwyk (deputy mayor), Clare St Pierre (councillor), Kevin Burgess and Merv Gyde. Roger Gordon was absent overseas.
District Promotion Fund grants:
Waka Ama National Sprint Championships 2024 $15,000, Great Kiwi Summer Festival Armistice (GKSF) 2023 $7000, Black Friday Blowout $12,000, Kihikihi Speedway Opening Meeting and Fireworks 2023 $8000, Long Course Weekend $10,000, AGRN – NZ Age Group Road Cycling Championship 2024 $8000, North Island Rowing Club Championships 2024 $3500, Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder NZ Championship Series 2024 $5000, Karapiro 100 K Flyer $2000, Wake NZ 2024 National Championships $2000, Balloons Visit Waipā 2024 $5600.
Dressage by the lake 2023 $6000, Race to Tieke – Brian Perry Classic 2024 $5000, Orchids & More 2023 $4000, NZ Polo National Club Championships for the Savile Cup 2024 $4000, Cambridge BMX Twilight Meet $1000, National Track Series (NTS) 2023 $2000, Christmas Regatta 2023 $2000, Frazzled Kiwi Adventure Race Cambridge 2023 $3000, Rangiaowhia 160 years Commemoration 2024 $10,000, Dirt Drags 2023 $3000, North Island Secondary Schools Rowing Championships (NISS) 2024 $3500, Canoe Racing Sprint National Championships 2024 $5000, New Zealand Fitness Festival 2023 $5000.
Misty Flicks Film Festival 2023 $5000, New Zealand National Rowing Championships 2024 $3500, Rotary International District 9930 Annual District Conference 2024 $2000, Waipari Climbing Festival 2024 $3000, International Female Ride Day 2024 $2000, 50th Anniversary of the Te Awamutu Music Federation 2023 $1100, North Island Schools Cycling Championships 2023 $3000, Clive Steenson Memorial Regatta $1000, Cambridge to Hamilton Paddle Race $1000, Club Regatta 2023 $1000, Cambridge Light and Sound Show $7000, Stragglers Charity Car Show and Community Fun Day $2000, Pirongia Trail Run $2000.
Community Event Fund grants:
Cambridge Cycling Festival $6000, Cambridge Autumn Festival $2000, Te Awa River Ride Matariki Night Light Ride $3000, Combined Cambridge Schools Kapa Haka Festival 2023 $1000, Karāpiro Flyer Party in the Park $1000, Waipā Fun Run $2000, Cambridge Half Marathon 10km and 5km Run/Walk $1000, Cambridge Christmas Parade $500, Cambridge Christmas Festival $2000, Kihikihi Community Day $2500, Cambridge Diwali Festival $2000, Youth Orchestra Waikato presented by Orchestra Central as part of the Cambridge Autumn Festival $500, Te Awamutu Golf Course Fun Run $1000, Op Shop Ball $1000, National Daffodil Show $500.
No funds:
Cambridge Festival of Sport 2023, Junior Regatta 2024, Memorial Regatta 2023, Ngāti Apakura Matariki Celebration 2023.
