Over the last year, this group helped the country lock in 64 conferences which have an anticipated economic impact of NZ$78.8 million.
These wins include the International Precision Dairy Farming Conference 2025, for Christchurch, the WONCA World Rural Health Conference in 2026 for Wellington and the Asia-Pacific Intelligent Transport Systems Forum 2027, which is expected to bring around 1,000 delegates to the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC).
“These bid champions have secured conferences in areas from health to the environment, law to information technology,” said Tourism New Zealand’s chief executive, René de Monchy. “Their dedication in bidding for these events means New Zealand will play a leading role in shaping the future of these sectors.”
Over the last financial year, with the help of experts and leaders in the relevant fields, Tourism New Zealand’s business events team submitted its highest ever number of bids – 112 – with the majority of the 64 wins announced during the year coming from bids finalised in the same 12-month period.
The supersized bidding effort was possible due to an additional NZ$3 million from the New Zealand Government to attract business events to New Zealand through the Conference Assistance Programme, managed by the national tourism agency.
In the current financial year, with another NZ$3 million boost, the business events team at Tourism New Zealand is chasing the same 110 bid target as last year, but with a higher potential economic value of NZ$185 million. Last year’s collective bid value was NZ$173 million.
“Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme offers funding and support for those who want to bid for an international conference,” said de Monchy.
“Hosting an international conference can help progress a bid champion’s personal and professional career, as well as showcasing the work of their peers, organisation and New Zealand’s knowledge strengths on the world stage.”
Last week’s event was held at Auckland’s stadium at Eden Park, where the government has just announced it will investigate whether it can boost event hosting capacities, by loosening some restrictions imposed on the venue.
