ew Zealand , which took quick steps to close its international borders and rigorously track and trace any Covid cases , has been held up as a shining example of how to deal with the pandemic . The approach has resulted in just 2,365 cases of Covid in the country and 26 deaths ( as of 24 February ). Of course , the country ’ s unique geography has been a big advantage , but it is positioned well to welcome back global conferences when borders do open .

Domestic business events continue and New Zealand ’ s events sector has adopted a Voluntary Code to deliver events based on ministry of health guidance .

New research by Tourism New Zealand shows 97 % of 125 home-based organisations surveyed were planning to hold a business event in 2021 . Tourism New Zealand has the following major international events still lined up :

• The 2022 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces in Christchurch

• The International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists ( ICWES ) in Auckland in 2023

• The International Association of Women in Police ( IAWP ) Annual Conference in Auckland in 2023

• The International Coral Reef Society ’ s Symposium in Auckland in 2025 .

New infrastructure While international borders may not be open work has continued apace to ensure the opening of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre in the second half of 2021 . It will offer 28,000sqm of flexible space and a virtual tour of the facility is available at : www . tepae . co . nz / gallery .

Construction continues on two other major venues which , when complete will see the New Zealand International Convention Centre offer 6,674sqm of multipurpose event space in Auckland

and Takina – Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre will open in 2023 with 18,000sqm of event space in the capital .

Incentive products New products to consider for the return of the incentives market include the transformation of Auckland ’ s former convention centre SkyCity into two new , immersive experiences .

Weta Workshop Unleashed is a new entertainment experience bringing together movie magic and effects and providing interactive experiences . Hands-on workshops , film effects demonstrations can also plug in to any event at the venue , which can handle 700 people for cocktails .

Opening in December , the All Blacks Experience is an interactive journey through the New Zealand rugby story , with opportunities to try out your kicking and catching skills in an interactive zone and to experience the full force of the haka .

New Zealand is also famous for its wines and Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa in Queenstown is one example of luxury accommodation offered in a top winery . Cave tours and private wine tasting are available .

Christchurch ’ s new Riverside Market Kitchen Cooking School allows visitors to get hands-on with some of New Zealand ’ s finest produce .

Below : Claire Hector-Taylor

A bureau view

International business may have stopped , but ChristchurchNZ Convention Bureau manager Claire Hector-Taylor ’ s team has continued to work hard with government and industry association , Business Events Industry Aotearoa ( BEIA ) to develop the Events Sector Voluntary Covid-Code . It is designed to protect health and livelihoods .

The NZMA South GP-CME , a medical conference for GPs , was to be held in Christchurch late last year . In less than a day , thanks to a huge collaborative effort , it was transformed into a fully digital event .

Hector-Taylor says international sales and marketing activity continues in readiness for when Asia-Pacific opens up . The focus is on Christchurch ’ s knowledge economy . “ We have a huge talent pool of world-leading sector experts , and we will look to bid for new international conference opportunities to help ensure a robust pipeline of business events into the city ,” she says .

Hector-Taylor says ChristchurchNZ is using its share of the Regional Events Fund to help major events in the sector .

“ Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre opening later this year means we have the ability to host larger business events than we ever have before ,” Hector-Taylor says and those planned already include :

• INTECOL , October 2021 - Australasian College of Emergency Medicine , November 2021

• Congress of the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists , Nov . 2021

• International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership ( IIMHL ) and International Initiative for Disability Leadership , March 2022

• Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia ( IPWEA ), June 2022 .