Tourism New Zealand is aiming to achieve its highest ever value target for international conferences in FY26, with a goal of making 110 bids valued at NZ$185m (US$111.63m).
The target was announced at MEETINGS, New Zealand’s leading trade show for the business events industry, in Auckland. It followed the announcement from the previous day that NZ$3m of additional funding from the government would be directed toward Tourism New Zealand’s business events work in FY26.
The FY26 target comes as Tourism New Zealand’s dedicated Business Events team looks set to deliver on its FY25 stretch target of 110 bids valued at $170m.
The national tourism organisation had previously set a target of 90 bids with a value of $140m for the 2025 financial year. Win conversion targets remain set at 60%.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive René de Monchy (pictured) said: “The additional Tourism Boost funding for business events was a strong vote of confidence in the work we do at Tourism New Zealand, highlighting the vital role this activity plays in growing the New Zealand economy. This investment allowed us to do more and go faster.”
Tourism New Zealand will draw on new perception research in the international business events sector to fuel continued growth, Mr de Monchy said. This includes supporting early career academics to boost the country’s bid champion pool, addressing perceptions around the complexity of travelling to New Zealand, and showcasing the magic of conferences and events held in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, key industry and government leaders, global sector leaders and media were hosted at a high-impact leadership conversation (Kōrero) exploring the future of New Zealand’s business events industry at MEETINGS 2025 in Auckland, 11 June.
Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) chief executive, Lisa Hopkins said the group tackled the challenges and opportunities facing the sector – from infrastructure and immigration to global uncertainty and investment.
“Our Kōrero centred on the key forces shaping business events in Aotearoa New Zealand, grounded in leadership, investment, and shared goals for growth. We asked the hard questions: what lies ahead, and how do we continue to shape our industry to ensure it thrives.
“The answers were optimistic, and the conditions for meaningful change, for real impact, are finally on our side,” she said.
Immigration New Zealand’s visa expert, Jock Gilray covered the importance of streamlined visa access for international delegates who require visas. He outlined recent advancements in visa processing, including event-specific support. “We have introduced a dedicated process to better support large groups and encourage event organisers to notify INZ early about future events.”
A dedicated session on Infrastructure Development focused on transformative investments across major new venues, airports, and transport networks. One New Zealand Stadium Christchurch, NZICC, Auckland Airport and Air New Zealand are all strengthening New Zealand’s capacity to attract and deliver impactful business events, driving wider economic, social, and cultural benefits.
NZICC general manager, Prue Daly outlined the economic and social benefits of business events for Auckland and New Zealand.
“After opening in February 2026 NZICC will bring an estimated 33,000 new international delegates to Auckland, New Zealand per year contributing NZ$90m of new economic spend year. There are 23 international events confirmed between 2026 and 2028 with 23,000 delegates and 126,000 visitor days,” she said.
The Geo-Political Panel Session brought together global experts including Sven Bossu, International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC); Florence Chua, Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA); Matt Pearce, Australian Business Events Association (ABEA), and Lisa Hopkins (BEIA). Discussions included how world events – from political uncertainty and climate change to AI and storytelling – are reshaping the business events landscape, how destinations need to adapt, and how diplomacy and narrative can foster resilience and growth.
