PHOTO: ALLIED MEDIA FILESA $3.69 million boost in government spending on New Zealand tourism campaigns has been welcomed in the Waitaki. "This funding boost is enthusiastically welcomed by Tourism Waitaki," Tourism Waitaki RTO general manager Heather Matthews said. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said more international visitors will be exploring regional New Zealand this year, thanks to a $3.69 million investment from the second round of the government’s Regional Tourism Boost. The latest round of the Regional Tourism Boost is supporting five new initiatives:■ A $459,000 project will entice Australians from the Gold Coast to explore the lower South Island, delivered by Great South and seven associated Regional Tourism Organisations. "The Southern Way campaign brings together Great South, Tourism Waitaki, Enterprise Dunedin, Clutha Development, Tourism Central Otago, Destination Queenstown and Lake Wanaka Tourism.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 24, 2026 15:03 UTC