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About the programme

The Cultural Diplomacy International Programme (CDIP) was set up in 2004 to take a whole-of-government approach to cultural diplomacy. The funding aims to support cultural activities that will contribute to New Zealand’s economic, trade, tourism and diplomatic interests by showcasing our creative and diverse society and unique culture to international audiences in key regions or countries.

New Strategic Plan for 2026–2029

The new strategic plan sets out the intent and priorities for the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme (CDIP) for the period 2026-2029, including alignment to Amplify – a Creative and Cultural Strategy for New Zealand 2025–2030.

Before making enquiries about CDIP funding, we encourage you to read Amplify to understand the broader strategic context within which CDIP is operating, and the Strategic Plan 2026-29 to determine whether your project or activity strongly aligns to CDIP objectives and priorities.

Priorities for 2026–2029

Under the new CDIP Strategic Plan, CDIP investment will be prioritised for cultural diplomacy activities that:

Provide economic benefits for New Zealand’s cultural and creative sectors

We want to support activities that raise international visibility of New Zealand’s cultural and creative sectors and increase economic opportunities for our cultural and creative practitioners through greater sales, exports, contracts, employment and / or skills development opportunities.

Enhance our broader diplomatic, economic, trade and tourism interests

 We want to support cultural/creative activities that include opportunities to build positive perceptions of New Zealand and support wider government priorities in terms of international relationships, trade, investment and tourism.

Raise New Zealand's profile in key regions

We want to maximise CDIP’s impact by supporting cultural/creative activities that leverage existing large-scale events and/or take place in regions and countries where there is strong potential to enhance New Zealand’s cultural, diplomatic, economic, trade and tourism interests.

The updated priority regions are: (note list order does not denote preference)

  • within Asia: Southeast Asia (especially Singapore, Viet Nam, Philippines), India, China, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Middle East
  • within North America: USA and Canada 
  • within Europe: United Kingdom and the European Union
  • within the Pacific: Australia and the Pacific.

Who can apply

Individuals or organisations seeking funding to deliver cultural/creative activities outside New Zealand, which showcase New Zealand to international audiences.

Applications will need to demonstrate direct benefits for New Zealand’s creative and cultural sectors and/or New Zealand’s wider economic, trade, tourism and diplomatic interests.

Please note that legal entity status in New Zealand is preferred to receive CDIP funding.

Available funding

CDIP is funded through a multi-year appropriation, with approximately $3 million currently available for new projects for the period July 2025–June 2029.

Costs that can be funded

CDIP funding can be used to support costs such as:

  • the delivery of cultural/creative activities internationally
  • publicity, media, marketing and promotion
  • travel and translation services.

CDIP funding cannot be used to:

  • duplicate or replace existing funding support for the activity
  • fund the delivery of cultural/creative activities within New Zealand
  • fund cash prizes
  • fund retrospective costs (e.g. costs of activities that have already taken place).

How CDIP works

The application process

Flow diagram showing 5 stages of applying for CDIP funding. Full description in caption.
Image description: Application process: 1) Check your fit with the fund 2) Submit your application 3) Assessing and decision making. For successful applications: 4) Funding Agreement signed 5) Delivery and reporting

Online enquiry form closed

Our online enquiry form for the current funding round is now closed. We will advise here when the enquiry form for the next funding round, currently anticipated for September 2026, can be accessed. The enquiry form will help you work out whether your proposal is a good fit for the fund.

Funding rounds

CDIP is moving to a funding round approach. The dates for the current funding round are:

  • Funding round opens: 16 February 2026
  • Online enquiries due no later than: 24 March 2026
  • Applications due: 31 March 2026
  • Decisions notified: July 2026.

All applications (including the initial enquiry) must be completed on or before 31 March 2026. 

You can apply for funding in this first round if your project or activity starts in the 2026, 2027 or 2028 calendar year.

Steering Group

We administer CDIP with support from a Steering Group made up of representatives from the following government agencies and organisations:

  • Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
  • Tourism New Zealand
  • Te Puni Kōkiri
  • Education New Zealand
  • New Zealand Story

The Steering Group’s role is to:

  • Work with the cultural and creative sectors to help identify and deliver activities that will result in outcomes for those sectors and can be leveraged to help boost diplomatic, political, trade, tourism and economic benefits.
  • Assess applications and provide funding advice to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.
  • Ensure the current strategic plan continues to align and deliver on the priorities of the Government, the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage and that of the CDIP fund.

Evaluating funded projects

One of the key assessment criteria is the capability and capacity of an applicant to deliver their project and demonstrate return on investment.

The agreed scale of individual project evaluation will consider several factors including the amount of funding sought and the complexity of the project.

Successful applicants may also be asked to support the evaluation of the wider CDIP programme during 2028 and 2029.

Enquiries

For enquiries about CDIP, please complete our online enquiry form. 

Funded projects for 2026-2029

CDIP projects will be listed here as they are announced.

The Great Escape music festival, May 2026 (Brighton, UK) 

  • NZMC in partnership with Live Nation New Zealand has been offered the opportunity for New Zealand to be the lead country for the 2026 edition of The Great Escape.
  • The Great Escape is one of the biggest music conferences in the world.
  • The Great Escape has history of fast-tracking careers by putting artists in front of many record labels, festival bookers, influencers and media at one time.