NZCT Shifts Gears: $188,710 Grant Fuels Fun at Manfeild Park!

New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has granted $188,710 to Manfeild Park Trust, to maintain staffing, improve racing circuit safety and support the growth of local, regional, and national sporting events, further establishing Manfield Park as a hub of adrenaline and community spirit.

CEO Paul Cocks says, "Manfeild Park Trust supports a variety of events including motorsport, equestrian, and community-focused activities. Our mission is to maintain and enhance the services we offer by making car racing and other events more accessible to our communities."

The Trust formed in 2004 through the collaboration of three key stakeholders: the Manawatu District Council, the Feilding Industrial Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and the Manawatu Car Club is dedicated to combining interest for the benefit of the local Feilding business community and the wider Manawatu region. Together, transforming Manfeild Park into a major drawcard for both visitors and participants.

Motorsport is the most popular activity at Manfeild, attracting grassroots drivers and riders to the action-packed licensed racetrack. The venue also hosts national, regional, and local equestrian events. However recent economic challenges have posed hurdles in maintaining facilities and staffing.

"Manfeild events provide considerable economic benefit to the local Feilding business community and the wider Manawatu region," Cocks explains. "It's vital for us to maintain and improve our service levels to support these businesses." A decline in the number and diversity of events has a knock-on effect for these businesses, so it’s vital not only to the Trust, but also the surrounding community to be able to maintain and improve our present levels of service.

Ben Hodges, NZCT’s GM of Grants, Marketing, and Communications, adds “Manfeild Park is a fabulous asset for the Feilding community providing sporting, community, and economic benefits to the whole region. We are grateful for the responsible gaming fundraising partnerships we share with the Drovers Bar and Kitchen, Empire Hotel and Feilding Hotel which made this grant possible.”