New Zealand
FOREWORD
PENELOPE RYAN, GLOBAL MANAGER BUSINESS EVENTS AT TOURISM NEW ZEALAND, OUTLINES THE NATION ' S SURGING BUSINESS EVENTS SECTOR, HIGHLIGHTING RECORD-BREAKING BID SUCCESSES, WORLD-CLASS NEW CONVENTION FACILITIES, AND UNIQUE CULTURAL OFFERINGS THAT POSITION NEW ZEALAND AS A LEADING DESTINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES AND INCENTIVE TRAVEL.
New Zealand’ s business events sector is entering 2026 with exceptional momentum. As one of the Asia – Pacific region’ s most desirable destinations for international conferences and incentive travel, this is an exciting time to showcase what makes New Zealand unique.
New Zealand now boasts three new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art and sustainable venues across its main metro centres. The importance of business events to both the economy and local communities has been recognised by government, with an additional NZ $ 6m invested over the past nine months to further accelerate the sector.
Tourism New Zealand’ s Business Events team closed FY25 with record results, securing 112 bids worth $ 173 million and surpassing its stretch target of 110 bids valued at $ 170 million. For FY26, the goal is to maintain the 110-bid target while increasing total value to $ 185 million. A strong pipeline is already in place, with confirmed wins extending through to 2030.
The opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre( NZICC) in February 2026 will be a game changer, significantly expanding national conference capacity to host events of up to 4,000 delegates. With more than 100 events confirmed for 2026, the $ 750 million purpose-built venue represents a transformative investment, elevating Auckland’ s global profile as a major conference destination.
Elsewhere, Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre continues to gain
Penelope Ryan
momentum, hosting 18 international conferences in 2025. Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is also exceeding expectations, having been named Oceania’ s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre at the World Travel Awards 2025.
Air connectivity continues to strengthen, with 8.4 million seats across 66 city pairs in 2025 – four more city pairs than the previous year and a 2 per cent increase in capacity. Legislative changes to the Medicines Act will further unlock growth, enabling the advertising of non-consented medicines at medical events and allowing New Zealand to bid for pharmaceutical conferences previously out of reach.
New Zealand is widely recognised as a safe and secure destination, renowned for its world-class warm welcome, or manaakitanga, and supported by a highly skilled network of event professionals delivering memorable experiences. The conditions are ripe for continued growth.
New Zealand’ s evolution as a global business events powerhouse is underpinned by the integration of indigenous Māori culture, an extraordinary natural environment and an innovative, future-focused economy. The opportunity to weave te ao Māori – the Māori worldview – through event design enables fresh perspectives and deeper engagement.
Home to world-class academics and industry leaders across agritech, earth science, medicine, technology and screen, New Zealand offers direct access to decision-makers and a strong Pacific perspective. Beyond its sustainable venues, organisers can further reduce environmental impact through the Tiaki – Care for New Zealand Promise and by choosing Qualmark-accredited operators aligned with Global Sustainable Tourism Council standards.
New Zealand is where people, place and purpose come together to create lasting legacy, inspiring organisers to push their events beyond the expected and achieve more through connection, innovation and collaboration. n
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