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New Zealand Tourism Minister Paula Bennett has announced $5.2 million in co-funding for new tourism infrastructure projects to be undertaken by 16 local authorities.

The funding will see councils from Queenstown to Whangarei get backing for projects that include include toilets, showers and parking facilities.

The projects are to be funded through the second round of the Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund and provide support for councils with high visitor numbers and small ratepayer bases.

Commenting on the program, Minister Bennett stated “this funding will be a relief for these communities and will help them respond to the steady stream of visitors they are seeing. Tourism is hugely important to many of our regional economies and infrastructure is essential to harnessing the benefits of growth in the sector.

“Quality infrastructure and facilities also help to ensure New Zealanders can continue to enjoy their own spaces – whether they are at home or visiting other parts of the country. This is important if the tourism sector is to retain the support of New Zealanders.

“This is the second and final round of the Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund, which will be subsumed by the new Tourism Infrastructure Fund of $100 million over four years. This new fund will also support local communities who are facing pressure from tourism growth need assistance.

“We’ve heard from industry and local government that infrastructure is their number one priority and have responded accordingly. Now I am interested in what the projects are that we can fund to support our growing and successful tourism sector.”

Successful applicants for round two of the Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund: 

Hurunui District Council
$224,254 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities and a dump station for motorhome use on Mountain View Road in Culverden. The new facilities will help respond to the significant increase in visitor numbers to Culverden, particularly following the Kaikoura Earthquake, which saw the town being incorporated into the South Island inland touring route and portaloos being required to respond to increased demand.

Mackenzie District Council
$100,000 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities at the Lake Pukaki lookout. The facilities will meet an immediate need with growing numbers of visitors to the site.

Mackenzie District Council
$275,000 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities at The Pines Campground, next to Lake Pukaki lookout. The facilities will meet an immediate need with growing numbers of freedom campers to the site.

Mackenzie District Council
$267,000 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities on Lakeside Drive, next to Lake Tekapo, and upgrade an existing effluent dump station in the township. Both facilities will meet an immediate need with growing numbers of visitors to the site.

Queenstown Lakes District Council
$150,000 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities in Makaroa. The facilities will respond to the estimated 400,000 vehicles travelling through the township on SH 6 en route to Haast per year.

Rangitikei District Council
$120,550 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities at three sites across Rangitikei district (Mangaweka Village, Papakai Park in Taihape and Bruce Park Reserve in Hunterville). The facilities will serve as rest stops for users travelling through the Rangitikei along SH 1.

Ruapehu District Council
$622,500 of funding for works to construct toilet and parking facilities at the Carrot Park in Ohakune. The new facilities will help respond to significant growth in visitor numbers in Ohakune both over winter months and throughout the year (including those travelling to the Tongariro Crossing).

Ruapehu District Council
$140,000 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities at the Tangiwai Memorial near Waioura. The new facilities are part of a larger programme of work being led by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Department of Internal Affairs and Department of Conservation, and will encourage visitors to stop at the site en route to Ohakune and the Desert Road.

Ruapehu District Council
$140,000 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities in Ohura. The new facilities will support the steady growth of visitors travelling on the Forgotten World Highway, and also users of the Mountains to the Sea cycle trail travelling between National Park and Wanganui.

Ruapehu District Council
$140,000 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities in Owhango. The new facilities will support the steady growth of visitors travelling between Taumarunui and the National Park on SH 4, and also users of the Mountains to the Sea cycle trail along the border of Tongariro National Park.

Thames Coromandel District Council
$130,000 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities at the Park and Ride carpark in Hahei. The new facilities will support the Council’s wider visitor management strategy for responding to the significant growth in visitor numbers to Cathedral Cove.

Waitaki District Council
$110,000 of funding for works to construct new toilet and shower facilities, and a wastewater disposal field at Dunback Domain Campground. The new facilities will replace the existing toilets, which are no longer able to meet demand for visitors travelling towards Central Otago, including freedom campers.

Waitaki District Council
$113,000 of funding for works to construct new toilet and parking facilities in Duntroon. The parking facilities include a pick up/drop off area for tourism operators associated with the Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail, and will help to address the existing lack of an organised parking system in the township. The new toilet facilities will replace aged facilities that are unable to meet increased demand.

Westland District Council
$463,068 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities on the main street in Franz Josef. The new facilities will replace the existing toilets, which are no longer able to meet demand for visitors travelling between the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.

Westland District Council
$100,000 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities and upgrade parking at Dillman’s (Kapitea) Dam. The new facilities will help respond to significant growth in visitor numbers travelling past Dillman’s Dam (near Kumara) via Arthur’s Pass, and along the SH 6 West Coast touring route.

Westland District Council
$204,435 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities and upgrade parking in Okarito. The new facilities will help respond to significant growth in visitor numbers travelling through the township along the SH 6 West Coast touring route.

Westland District Council
$117,216 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities and upgrade parking in Bruce Bay. The new facilities will help respond to significant growth in visitor numbers travelling through the township along the SH 6 West Coast touring route between Fox Glacier and Haast.

Westland District Council
$136,125 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities and upgrade parking in Fox Glacier. The new facilities will help respond to significant growth in visitor numbers travelling through the township along the SH 6 West Coast touring route between Fox Glacier and Haast.

Whakatane District Council
$100,000 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities in Murupara, and upgrade existing toilet and carpark facilities at Eivers Park in Te Teko. The Te Teko facilities will benefit the increased number of visitors travelling between Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty, while the Murupara facilities will benefit visitors travelling to Te Urewera National Park.

Whangarei District Council
$160,000 of funding for works to construct toilet facilities at the Abby Caves and Parihaka sites. The new facilities will support visitor growth at both sites, as well as the nearby Whangarei city centre.

Image: Public toilets in Matakana have become a tourist attraction.

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10th May 2017 - ACTIONS TO SUPERCHARGE FUTURE SUCCESS OF NEW ZEALAND TOURISM 

31st January 2017 - TOURISM INDUSTRY AIMS TO MAINTAIN RECORD GROWTH

19th January 2017 - STRESSES SHOW AS NEW ZEALAND TOURISM THRIVES

24th October 2016 - UNITY ON FREEDOM CAMPING APPROACH 

14th November 2011 - TIANZ HIGHLIGHTS THAT TOP TOILETS ATTRACT VISITORS

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