West Coast New Zealand

The West Coast Development Trust has funded and supported a range of groups, organisations and initiatives since it was formed in 2001.

One of the many events to benefit from the Trust’s support in 2006 was the Young Farmers Contest.

The Young Farmers Contest, Greymouth

In 2006, the Trust was proud to support the grand final of the Young Farmers Contest held in Greymouth in July.

An icon of rural New Zealand, this annual event showcases and celebrates the excellence of New Zealand’s young farmers, the agricultural industry, and heartland New Zealand. It also reflects the essence of the West Coast.

The Young Farmers Contest is a vibrant, positive, and economically rewarding event. It represents exactly what the West Coast needs and the Trust is looking to promote.

Our Contribution

The Trust contributed up to $25,000 to assist with hosting the grand final in Greymouth between July 5-8, 2006.

The Benefits

Direct economic benefits to the West Coast from this event are expected to exceed $540,000.

Other benefits include:

• Increased visitor numbers: The event attracts at least 3000 people with 2100 bed-nights forecast for visitors and competitors.
• Increased publicity :The event attracts a high degree of media interest locally and nationally. It is publicised on TV, radio and in print media. A televised show was held at Greymouth’s Regent Theatre and shown on TV1 to nearly 300,000 New Zealanders
• Industry promotion: The benefits of such grand scale positive promotion of our region and agricultural industry will be ongoing for the region. 

Fulfils our Objectives

This success story is a good example of a funding application that fulfils the objectives and goals of the Trust. These are to:

• Promote sustainable employment opportunities in the West Coast region
• Generate sustainable economic benefits for the West Coast
• Support projects which are not the ordinary day-to-day running, maintenance and upgrade of the infrastructure of the applicant’s organisation