The Auditor-General has announced an inquiry into a controversial tourism fund to ensure public confidence is not eroded.
Among businesses to receive funding from Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme were AJ Hackett Bungy, Discover Waitomo and Whale Watch Kaikōura.
Photo: YouTube / AJ Hackett
The Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme is part of the government's $400 million Covid-19 tourism recovery fund.
Auditor-General John Ryan said the investigation will examine the eligibility criteria, how applications were assessed and inconsistencies in the process.
The programme has come under increased scrutiny with concerns raised by tourism operators over the transparency and clarity of the programme.