Press release Tourism New Zealand

New Zealand has attracted business events that will deliver $311 million to the New Zealand economy. The events were secured by Tourism New Zealand and industry over the last four years and will bring nearly 100,000 people to the country. The result was announced at MEETINGS, New Zealand’s largest business tourism trade exhibition, on May 31.

In Budget 2013 the government invested $34 million with Tourism New Zealand for the purpose of attracting meetings, incentives and conferences.

“We are really pleased with the significant return on investment we have made with the support of the New Zealand business events industry,” says René de Monchy, Director Trade, PR and Major Events.

New Zealand is performing extremely well as an attractive and unique business events destination. The estimated value from all conferences bid for and won in the current financial year to date is $39.7 million. Plus an expected $33 million from secured incentive business.

“The New Zealand industry has a reputation for working together to create memorable events that international events organisers want, and delegates want to attend. It’s this approach that sets us apart and is winning bids on the global stage.”

“Business Events deliver a variety of benefits that support our work to spread visitation across the year and into the regions.”

Recent event wins include the International Association for the History of Religions, being hosted in Dunedin in Spring 2020 and Hamilton will host the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association in early June 2019.

The economic impact of an international conference for a region is significant with delegates staying on average 6 nights in New Zealand spending an average $2,009 per person.*

Key facts

  • New Zealand’s star as a conference destination is rising. New Zealand rose four places in the world listings, taking out the 12th spot in Asia Pacific and the 47th in the world in the latest International Congress & Convention Association’s (ICCA) annual data.
  • New Zealand’s business event offering is continuing to expand and with new convention centre’s being built in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.
  • New Zealand has great international credentials – ranked 1st for ease of doing business – World Bank. Ranked 2nd business friendliness by Forbes best countries for business.
  • New Zealand has fantastic niche knowledge and research areas such as health science, agribusiness, marine and these are helping us attract business events.  We are renowned as a smart country doing innovative things.
  • A number of conferences will be held across the country over the coming years benefiting many regions, these include Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Wellington Christchurch and Dunedin.
  • International Conference / convention arrivals are growing – 66,000 up 4% (MBIE IVA – YE March 17)

*Statistics reference MBIE CDS data 2016