The New Zealand Government announced on 20 March an additional NZ$3m in funding to secure international business events, with the goal of generating over NZ$30m in economic impact. The funding will be implemented immediately.
The investment, drawn from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, is part of the Tourism Boost package. The package was developed by the Government in partnership with industry to support immediate growth in visitor numbers and drive export activity.
The funding will enhance Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme, which supports organisations bidding to host international conferences and high-value incentive events in New Zealand. The programme is open to universities, venues, professional conference organisers and events businesses across the events and hospitality sectors.
BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins said: “This signals that New Zealand is actively recognising the importance of business events. The country now has world-class infrastructure, with new convention centres in Christchurch (Te Pae), Wellington (Tākina) and Auckland (NZICC, opening 2026), and this funding will help maximise their economic impact.”
According to an Infometrics report, Te Pae Christchurch contributed NZ$77m to GDP and supported 693 full-time equivalent jobs in the year to November 2024.
The investment was announced by Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre.
