The Ministry of Education has put aside $267,000 for children's performance providers after Stage Challenge and J Rock events were axed.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins has pledged to provide new opportunities for young people to engage in events that promote music, drama and dance.
Stage Challenge - and later J Rock - were highlights of school performance calendars since 1992, but the foundation announced earlier this year that the events would not continue due to income from this year's planned shows not begin able to cover costs.
"The current economic conditions would make it extremely difficult for the corporate sector to sponsor the event," foundation chairman Lester Taylor said.
Following the decision, Hipkins said regional and national activities of this sort were too important to lose, so the ministry had allocated a $267,000 budget for each of the next two years to allow for providers like this to continue.