An additional NZ$3m (US$1.81m) investment by the New Zealand government to attract international business events to the country has been welcomed by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA).
Tourism and hospitality minister Hon Louise Upston announced the new investment, 10 June, which will support additional international business event bids through the Conference Assistance Programme, managed by Tourism New Zealand, over the next year.
Minister Upston was in Auckland to officially open MEETINGS 2025, New Zealand’s largest business events showcase. The two-day trade exhibition begins 11 June at Auckland Showgrounds, with exhibitors across 250 stands representing 18 regions, meeting with over 550 domestic and international buyers.
BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins said the announcement couldn’t have come at a better time for the industry.
“The initial NZ$3m investment announced in March was a powerful starting point. This second wave of funding sends a clear and deliberate message to the global market, New Zealand is here to compete for international business events, and we’re in it for the long haul,” she said.
“This is an exciting development for our sector and for the many international buyers attending MEETINGS. It provides renewed confidence and momentum for the next 12 months of bidding and business development.”
Hopkins noted the value of business events to New Zealand extended well beyond visitor numbers.
“Conference and incentive delegates spend on average NZ$175 more per day than other international visitors. Critically, many events are held in the shoulder and off-peak seasons between March and November, which supports regional economies and drives year-round demand.”
She added that business events are increasingly being recognised as strategic enablers of growth.
“This isn’t just about tourism. It’s about opening doors to global knowledge, trade, and investment. Business events bring together the very people who drive progress, scientists, innovators, policymakers, entrepreneurs. They create meaningful legacies for New Zealand.”
The latest NZ$3m business events investment is part of the first phase of the government’s NZ$35m Tourism Growth Roadmap. The roadmap outlines a shared ambition between government and industry to double tourism export earnings by 2034 through targeted initiatives, with business events playing a central role.
“This partnership approach between government and industry is exactly what we need to stay competitive internationally, and I know that the tourism, hospitality and event industries are eager to get started on this collaboration,” Hopkins said.
BEIA is the official membership-based association representing New Zealand’s business events sector
Photo: Tourism minister Louise Upston with Lisa Hopkins (left), BEIA chief executive and Martin Snedden, BEIA chair
