Economic Development
Whakawhanaketaka Ohaoha
The Economic Development team works to diversify our economy and encourage higher value jobs. The aim of this is to provide our residents with access to better incomes and more work choices outside of the changeable tourism and construction industries.
Key Areas of Focus Economic Profile Support, Recover & Reset Plan COVID-19 Business Support Film Office Contact usKey Areas of Focus
Queenstown Lakes District Economic Profile
The below information provided by economic analyst firm Infometrics gives an in-depth description of the Queenstown Lakes District’s economic structure and performance.
It offers the ability to drill down into both the Wakatipu Basin and Wanaka and Surrounds, offering detailed information for both areas.
You can also compare our district’s data against other regions throughout New Zealand to get an idea of how we’re doing in relation to the rest of the country.
Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Reset plan – Queenstown Lakes
Applications for the Business Advisory Support and Advice Implementation Grant will be accepted from Monday 06 September 2021 for the Queenstown Lakes District.
Further information on the Tourism Kick-start Fund will be provided once we are closer to reconnecting borders.
The three areas of support available to tourism businesses are:
-
Business Advisory Support (up to $5,000 per business operation) to enable businesses to receive expert advice and support, such as on changing target markets, or scaling their business.
-
Grants for businesses to implement business advice (up to $5,000 per business operation).
-
Tourism Kick-Start Fund, to contribute towards existing tourism businesses scaling back up for the return of international visitors ($10,000 to $50,000 per business operation). The grant will be calculated based on two weeks of pre-COVID-19 revenue set at two weeks of annual revenue for the 2019/20 financial year.
Tourism businesses can access funding through all three business initiatives (as they open) via the Otago Regional Business Partners network.
Information on eligibility, where and how to apply can be found here.
Grant Reporting by Month:
-
Number of businesses that have been approved a grant:
-
September 2021: 71
-
October 2021: 153
-
Total: 224
Total grant amounts approved:
-
September 2021: $258,330.00
-
October 2021: $585,667.85
-
Total: $843,997.85
-
-
Number of businesses that have been approved a grant:
-
September 2021: 16
-
October 2021: 34
-
Total: 50
Total grant amounts approved:
-
September 2021: $152,518.12
-
October 2021: $73,510.00
-
Total: $226,028.12
-
-
This fund is not currently open for applications. Further information on when this fund will open for applications will be provided once we are closer to reconnecting borders.
Close
COVID-19 Business Support and Advice
COVID-19 has had a massive impact on local businesses around Queenstown-Lakes. We've compiled a variety of resources and contacts that can assist you in these times of uncertainty. Head over to the webpage listed below for more information.
QLDC Film Office
Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has an in-Council film office within its Economic Development department that acts as a point of coordination for screen activity in the region. Click here to learn more.