There's a view that Government funding for major events is a smart investment. 

The first round of events in its $70 million package has been unveiled, including the first ever concert at Christchurch's One NZ Stadium at Te Kaha next May. 

Other events include Linkin Park in Auckland and the Ultra Music Festival in Wellington. 

Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill told Mike Hosking this funding is designed to make existing events bigger. 

For example, he says, the Readers and Writers Festival in Auckland is a fantastic event, but could they use the funding to make it more international? 

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