Draft Events Policy — February 2025

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We're working on a new Events Policy that will help ensure Council-supported events meet community expectations.

Background

Events are a key part of what makes our district a great place to live in and visit. They vary from large scale events like Warbirds over Wānaka to smaller volunteer-led community events such as the Queenstown Multicultural Festival.

Event organisers in our district do a great job of putting on quality events while also coping with challenges such as unpredictable weather and strong demand on venues and parks. The expectations on events from the public and event participants have also changed over time (e.g. toward waste at events).

Our draft events policy is being developed to further clarify what the community wants from events. This builds on feedback we've had from the wider community regarding requirements around events and how we can make improvements in this space. The policy considers economic benefits, health and safety, environmental impact, and social factors. The policy will be most relevant to Council-run events and to other event organisers who request Council funding or want to use Council facilities.


Whats in the Policy?

The draft policy provides a consistent logical framework and objectives to guide our decision-making. It sets out eight objectives and four high-level principles that will direct the events we support. These objectives will be applied across all our event-related processes including funding criteria.

Event delivery objectives:

  1. Ensure the safety of event participants, workers, residents and audiences.
  2. Respect QLDC’s statement of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
  3. Minimise the adverse impacts of events on the district, including the environment.
  4. Maximise the local economic benefit that events bring by using local suppliers and organisers.

Community-building objectives:

  1. Bring people together in ways that help create a positive sense of community.
  2. Create opportunities for residents and visitors to participate in and attend events.
  3. Respect and celebrate Mātauraka Kāi Tahu.
  4. Protect and celebrate the unique identity of this place.


The policy can be downloaded from the 'Document' section on the right-hand side of this page. Alternatively, you can email us at letstalk@qldc.govt.nz to request a copy.


Community feedback and hui

Feedback on the draft events policy is open until Friday 7 March.

Have your say by providing your feedback in the survey at the bottom of this page. Alternatively, you can email letstalk@qldc.govt.nz.

We’re also hosting three hui to present the policy, hear feedback from event organisers and the community, and answer your questions. We’ll also outline key improvements were making to the event process at QLDC.

Queenstown: Tuesday 18 February, 1.30pm-3.00pm, Lake Hayes Pavilion, 719 Lake Hayes-Arrow Junction Highway, Lake Hayes.

Online session: Thursday 20 February, 12.00pm-1.00pm, online via Teams webinar (link will be provided to people who RSVP).

Wānaka: Tuesday 25 February, 10.00am-11.30am, Armstrong room, Lake Wānaka Centre, 89 Ardmore Street.

Speaking at the hui will be our Relationship Manager Arts & Events Jan Maxwell, Economic Futures Manager Peter Harris, and Business Process Advisor Zoe Baptiste.

To RSVP for a hui, please email events@qldc.govt.nz at least one day before the event.



We're working on a new Events Policy that will help ensure Council-supported events meet community expectations.

Background

Events are a key part of what makes our district a great place to live in and visit. They vary from large scale events like Warbirds over Wānaka to smaller volunteer-led community events such as the Queenstown Multicultural Festival.

Event organisers in our district do a great job of putting on quality events while also coping with challenges such as unpredictable weather and strong demand on venues and parks. The expectations on events from the public and event participants have also changed over time (e.g. toward waste at events).

Our draft events policy is being developed to further clarify what the community wants from events. This builds on feedback we've had from the wider community regarding requirements around events and how we can make improvements in this space. The policy considers economic benefits, health and safety, environmental impact, and social factors. The policy will be most relevant to Council-run events and to other event organisers who request Council funding or want to use Council facilities.


Whats in the Policy?

The draft policy provides a consistent logical framework and objectives to guide our decision-making. It sets out eight objectives and four high-level principles that will direct the events we support. These objectives will be applied across all our event-related processes including funding criteria.

Event delivery objectives:

  1. Ensure the safety of event participants, workers, residents and audiences.
  2. Respect QLDC’s statement of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
  3. Minimise the adverse impacts of events on the district, including the environment.
  4. Maximise the local economic benefit that events bring by using local suppliers and organisers.

Community-building objectives:

  1. Bring people together in ways that help create a positive sense of community.
  2. Create opportunities for residents and visitors to participate in and attend events.
  3. Respect and celebrate Mātauraka Kāi Tahu.
  4. Protect and celebrate the unique identity of this place.


The policy can be downloaded from the 'Document' section on the right-hand side of this page. Alternatively, you can email us at letstalk@qldc.govt.nz to request a copy.


Community feedback and hui

Feedback on the draft events policy is open until Friday 7 March.

Have your say by providing your feedback in the survey at the bottom of this page. Alternatively, you can email letstalk@qldc.govt.nz.

We’re also hosting three hui to present the policy, hear feedback from event organisers and the community, and answer your questions. We’ll also outline key improvements were making to the event process at QLDC.

Queenstown: Tuesday 18 February, 1.30pm-3.00pm, Lake Hayes Pavilion, 719 Lake Hayes-Arrow Junction Highway, Lake Hayes.

Online session: Thursday 20 February, 12.00pm-1.00pm, online via Teams webinar (link will be provided to people who RSVP).

Wānaka: Tuesday 25 February, 10.00am-11.30am, Armstrong room, Lake Wānaka Centre, 89 Ardmore Street.

Speaking at the hui will be our Relationship Manager Arts & Events Jan Maxwell, Economic Futures Manager Peter Harris, and Business Process Advisor Zoe Baptiste.

To RSVP for a hui, please email events@qldc.govt.nz at least one day before the event.



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Page published: 10 Feb 2025, 07:51 AM