Financial Advice NZ conference gets funding

Financial Advice NZ is one of 200 recipients of funding via the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Domestic Events Fund.

Wednesday, September 2nd 2020, 6:00AM

Katrina Shanks

The $10 million Government fund was set up to support the events industry despite the disruption of Covid-19.

Financial Advice NZ received funding for its conference this year, which is set up as a series of roadshow events across the country. The events can be attended online or in-person. The association will decide this weekend whether to go ahead with an in-person Auckland event.

At present, the city still has a 10-person limit on gatherings.

“One of the goals of the fund was to get cash flow to the sector as quickly as possible. We are, therefore, pleased to announce that 200 events and their suppliers across New Zealand will be supported through this fund. Half of the funding going to the events will be passed on as early payments to the critical event supply chain, ensuring support reaches beyond event organisers,” said Iain Cossar, general manager tourism, at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

“Events are important at a community, regional and national level, providing both economic and social benefits and giving New Zealanders the opportunity to learn and experience new things. By helping more events stay viable, we ensure that events are available to New Zealanders both now and in the future.

“Local government and business events colleagues were instrumental in helping us roll out the fund. They provided extensive regional insights that supported our decision making and we are extremely grateful for their time and input.”

Recipients will be required to pay a certain percentage of funding to their key event suppliers as up-front payments to ensure funding reaches the supply chain in a timely manner.

Financial Advice NZ chief executive Katrina Shanks said the funding would allow the association to have some certainty as it worked with the events company delivering its conference this year.

“It’s fantastic for them. It’s yet another industry that’s had a huge hit from Covid.”

Tags: Financial Advice New Zealand Financial Advice NZ annual conference Katrina Shanks MoBIE