Funding Boost Sets The Table For Wellington’s Biggest Food And Beer Festivals Yet

Visa Wellington On a Plate and Beervana are gearing up to welcome more international visitors to the capital this year, backed by an injection from the Government’s Events Boost Fund.

Announced today by Tourism and Hospitality Minister Hon Louise Upston, the funding will support programming and marketing for international chef collaborations for Visa Wellington On a Plate, while Beervana’s funding will go towards promoting the festival in Australia, where demand for craft beer tourism is growing.

The Wellington Culinary Events Trust (WCET), which runs both festivals, says the support offers a rare chance to turn two home-grown events into even bigger international drawcards.

“When it comes to food and drink, Wellington has an energy you don’t find anywhere else”, says General Manager Penny de Borst.

“This funding means we can share that magic offshore and invite more people to experience it for themselves. It also lets us bring higher-profile chefs to New Zealand, so people can taste their food right here in Wellington, our hospitality community can learn from them, and Aotearoa’s incredible produce can be showcased in their hands,” she says.

In 2025, Visa Wellington On a Plate and Beervana delivered a combined $10 million boost to the Wellington economy, attracting more than 4,500 out-of-town visitors. Ticket sales, visitor nights, burger purchases and increased hospitality spend across both festivals contributed to this impact.

Heidi Morton, GM of Events & Experiences at WellingtonNZ, says: “This funding injection is a welcome investment in the cultural and economic vibrancy of our region, and we’re grateful to the government for recognising the value these festivals bring to Wellington.

“Events like Visa Wellington On a Plate and Beervana celebrate the city’s culinary creativity while offering unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors alike. These festivals reinforce Wellington’s status as Aotearoa’s culinary capital, and this funding will amplify that story on the global stage.”

Penny de Borst says as a not-for-profit supporting Wellington’s hospitality and Aotearoa’s brewing communities, they’ve never had an opportunity of this magnitude to share their story internationally.

“Through our chef collaborations, New Zealand’s food culture will be woven into global menus, cookbooks and chef storytelling for years to come and position Beervana as a ‘must-do’ for craft beer lovers beyond New Zealand,” she says.

Visa Wellington On a Plate began in 2009 to encourage people to dine out during the city’s coldest and quietest months. In 2026, Beervana will return to the capital on August 21 and 22, marking 26 years of celebrating and promoting New Zealand’s beer industry.

About Visa Wellington On a Plate and Beervana

Beervana and Visa Wellington On a Plate are brought to you by the Wellington Culinary Events Trust, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting our local hospitality and national brewing industries.

Visa Wellington On a Plate is one of the southern hemisphere’s most significant and boldest food festivals. From burgers and cocktails to chef collaborations and immersive experiences, it showcases the best of the Wellington region’s producers, venues, and creative talent, and is dedicated to supporting and celebrating the capital’s hospitality industry.

Beervana is New Zealand’s ultimate celebration of good beer. It exists to celebrate and promote the New Zealand good beer sector and encourage people to support the local brewing industry. It is a unique festival that focuses on beer, is inclusive, safe, and a whole lot of fun. Fans know to expect the unexpected at Beervana. Every year, it draws beer lovers from across the country - and the globe - showing that even in challenging times, great beer still brings people together.

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