An international mountain bike festival will receive Government funding to secure events in Rotorua and across the South Island, offering significant economic, social and cultural benefits to New Zealand, Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash announced today.

Crankworx will receive up to $8.1 million from the Government’s Major Events Fund to support the delivery of six Crankworx Rotorua mountain bike events including the Grand Finale in November 2022 and the return of Rotorua hosting the first stop on the Crankworx World Tour from 2023–2027. It will also secure the future of up to 24 Summer Series events, hosted across the South Island, after a successful launch in 2021.

“I’m thrilled to be able to support the future of Crankworx global events in New Zealand. This is one of the most important mountain bike festivals in the world with a huge international following, so it’s great to continue to host it in Rotorua, a city that has a well-deserved reputation as a global mountain biking destination,” Stuart Nash said.

“We’ve held Crankworx events in New Zealand for the past seven years, and they have all been highly successful, attracting of international visitors while incentivising the development of and upgrades to mountain bike and event-related infrastructure.

“The cumulative economic impact of the 2015-2021 events has been independently assessed at over $25.9 million, which doesn’t include the ongoing economic benefit of international visitors who spend travel beyond the event, as well as the lasting awareness and hype generated for Rotorua.

“As we welcome back our international visitors, it’s the perfect time to broaden our commitment to the mountain bike festival. This funding will support extended Summer Series events, which help to distribute social and economic benefits across our South Island communities, in particular to Central Otago, Queenstown, and Wanaka.

“I attended Crankworx in Rotorua last year and it was a fantastic event, even without the crowds. I can’t wait to be back in November and cheer along with all the international mountain bike fans,” Stuart Nash said.

Media contact: Lukas Clark-Memler 020 409 71161

Notes for editors:

· Crankworx Rotorua was established in March of 2015, becoming the first festival outside of North America and Europe. This year, Crankworx Rotorua will once again be the final stop of the World Tour, celebrating the season’s champions.

· Major Events Fund will be contracted across the 2022–2027 events with a $1 million investment in the 2022 Crankworx Grand Finale; $700,000 in Crankworx Rotorua 2023; $1 million for Crankworx Rotorua 2024 and $750,000 for Summer Series events; and each year from 2025 – 2027, Crankworx Rotorua will receive $800,000 and the South Island based Summer Series events will receive $750,000.

Home Page | Parliament | Previous Story | Next Story

Copyright (c) Scoop Media