RWC festival and Lotto jackpot
Lotto powerball hits $32 million this Saturday and must be won. Some lucky person(s) will have a smile from ear to ear in a few days time.
As the Minister of Internal Affairs I’m responsible for gambling laws in New Zealand, and for the Lotteries Commission which raises community money from games like Lotto.
Whether you’re a regular ticket buyer, only on special occasions or never at all, the whole community benefits from Lotto. The proceeds raised go directly back into the community and last year this totalled $155 million.
We saw this in action a few weeks ago when over $8 million was raised for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.
Last year $9.5 million was set aside to support public events and festivals as part of this year’s Rugby World Cup. There was a huge public response with over 570 applications received seeking over $72 million in funding.
The final independent decision has now been made by the NZ 2011 Festival Lottery Fund Committee, and I’m rapt that three of the 175 events will involve Kapiti and Horowhenua.
The Rahui Football and Sports Club in Otaki have won $18,000 for their event ‘A Cultural Experience,’ involving a weekend of festivities built around a Heartland rugby game between Horowhenua-Kapiti and the East Coast on the 24th of September.
On October 7 the Otaki Races will be a draw card for tourists based at the Trentham Camper Van Park, who are planning special bus trips up to the race meeting.
Mahara Gallery in Waikanae has been awarded $8000 for a multi-media exhibition including carving, painting, sculpture, film, music and photography that will run during the RWC period.
Around 85,000 international visitors are expected in New Zealand later this year for the Rugby World Cup, and it’s important that every part of the country gets involved. We want to showcase the best of New Zealand to the world, and let communities feel a part of the excitement, even if not everyone has a ticket.
Many visitors will be passing through our region on their way to games in Wellington and Palmerston North, so it’s great we now have added attractions and events for them to enjoy.
The first Air New Zealand flights from Paraparaumu start at the conclusion of the World Cup, giving tourists an ideal opportunity to stay a few days longer here.