Waipā District Council staff have recommended 17 organisations receive funding from this year’s District Promotion Fund, which was halved to $75,000, down from $150,000 last year.
The Waka Ama champs at Lake Karāpiro attracts thousands of visitors from around the country. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
A total of 48 applications requesting $425,643 in funding were received
The final decision was to be made by the District Promotions Sub-Committee, chaired by councillor Marcus Gower, on Monday.
The outcome was unavailable when The News went to press.
Other members were deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, councillors Clare St Pierre and Roger Gordon and community representatives Merv Gyde and Kevin Burgess.
A report from Event and Engagement Delivery team leader Amber Diprose recommended the BMX New Zealand National Championships, to be held in Te Awamutu in March 2026, receive $20,000 due to the strong economic and social benefits it is expected to bring to the wider district.
The Te Awamutu BMX Club successfully bid to host the event for the first time since 2017.
A recent economic report said the Cambridge Autumn Festival brings benefits to Waipā. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Overall, 70 per cent of the recommended funding is allocated to events in Cambridge and Karāpiro. The remaining 30 per cent was expected to go to events in Te Awamutu, Kihikihi, Pirongia, and Wharepapa South.
The purpose of the fund is to support events that drive economic activity and promote Waipā.
The recommended events and the suggested grants were:
BMX National Championship $20,000, The Great Waikato Picnic $7500, Waka Ama National Sprint Championships 2026 $6000, New Zealand Dragon Boat Nationals $6000, Ocean Swim Series – Lake Karāpiro $5000, CrossFit New Zealand Team Nationals $5000, Cambridge Cycling Festival (Cambridge Street Festival) $3500, Oceania Track Championships $3500, KRI Christmas Regatta $3500, New Zealand National Rowing Championships $3500, Canoe Racing NZ National Sprint Championships 2026 $3500, Boys Lake Tournament Water Polo Tournament $3000, Cambridge Autumn Festival $3000, Kihikihi Waikato Eventing $2000.
It was recommended the following events miss out.
Te Awa River Ride Light Night 2026, Kihikihi Speedway Opening Meeting and Fireworks, Omnium and Madison National Championships, Pirongia Trail Run, Cambridge Half Marathon 2025, Cambridge Flamenco Feria,Te Awamutu Annual Craft Market, Matariki at Leamington Domain, Matariki Pirongia, Waipā Fun Run, Qualitat VW Nationals 2026, Misty Flicks Film Festival, Karāpiro Marathon and Team Relay, Stragglers Charity Car Show and Family Fun Day, Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder NZ Hydroplane Championship Series, College Sport Auckland and Junior Regatta, North Island Rowing Championships, North Island Secondary Schools Rowing Championships, KRI Club Regatta, Armistice in Cambridge, Balloons visit Waipā, Kids Kerfuffle, Barkfest, Cambridge to Hamilton Paddle Race, Waipāri Rock Fest, Dirt Drags, New Zealand Farm Forestry Association Conference 2026, 61st Te Awamutu Annual Spring Rose Show, Te Awamutu Duck Race Fundraiser, New Zealand Rhododendron Association Inc (NZRA) Garden Tour, Cambridge Top 10 Holiday Park Pool Complex Grand Opening, Rosetown Monthly Fair, New Zealand Tree Crops Annual Conference, Te Awamutu Coach Trips.
Waipa branding was prominently displayed at the Cambridge Half Marathon on Sunday, when winner Chris Lines of Whakatane crossed the finish line, despite the club behind it missing out on events funding. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
BMX Racing. Photo: Fabrizio Tarizzo, Creative Commons
