Auckland’s Rainbow's End among tourism businesses to benefit from New Zealand Government grant

Auckland’s Rainbow’s End theme park is to receive $500,000 in backing as one of 130 businesses that will receive stimulus funding from the New Zealand Government.

Designed to back key tourism businesses struggling through the Coronavirus crisis, the identities of those benefitting from the Strategic Assets Protection Programme (STAPP) are being revealed progressively as they sign funding agreements with New Zealand’s Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

Welcoming the backing, Rainbow’s End Chief Executive, Karen Crabb advised that the funds would be used on park maintenance as a top priority, telling the Stuff website, that “all maintenance of rides (has) continued … but this means we can maintain the wider park grounds and keep everything painted.”

Rainbow’s End, which prior to the Coronavirus crisis drew 400,000 visitors a year, has been opening three days a week over recent months, but is set to return to operating seven days a week from Friday.

The South Auckland attraction has been open during New Zealand’s Alert Level 2, but with numbers capped to maintain social distancing.

Other Auckland attractions to receive $500,000 grants included Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, Auckland Zoo Te Whare Kararehe o Tamaki Makaurau, The New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui A Tangaroa, and Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s aquarium.

With more than 300 tourism businesses applying for the grants, other successful recipients have included Maniatoto Curling International, which runs a curling rink in Naseby, which received just under $200,000 while Invercargill’s Transport World, Wanaka’s Puzzling World, and Christchurch’s trams and punting on the Avon were each successful in securing the maximum grant of $500,000.

Image: The Stratosfear at Rainbow's End.