A $9.5 million lotteries fund for public events during next year's Rugby World Cup will ensure the economic benefits of the event are equally spread, Prime Minister John Key says.Speaking at the launch in Wellington today, Mr Key said the purpose of the f
A $9.5 million lotteries fund for public events during next year's Rugby World Cup will ensure the economic benefits of the event are equally spread, Prime Minister John Key says.
Speaking at the launch in Wellington today, Mr Key said the purpose of the fund was to enable communities to get involved with the World Cup celebrations.
"We will be staging a nationwide festival which will showcase the very best of New Zealand's art, its food, its wine, its heritage, entertainment, experience and lifestyles," Mr Key said.
"This could include everything from concerts, fairs and exhibitions, to street markets and parades."
Mr Key said the festival would give the country a chance to engage with tourists from around the world.
"We want it to be as we promoted it -- a festival for four million people up and down the country."
While local councils were expected to apply for the grants, Mr Key said applications were open to all New Zealanders.
"The 2011 Rugby World Cup will be, as you know, the largest sporting event ever held in New Zealand and we want to maximise the involvement of the community," Mr Key said.
"We want to see the celebrations and economic benefits spread throughout the country. This funding will ensure the opportunities to be part of the Rugby World Cup festival are equally spread."
The fund would be administered by the Department of Internal Affairs. Applications for grants opened today and would close on September 17, with recipients to be notified in November.
