New Zealand business events sector welcomes government easing of restrictions

The business events sector in New Zealand has welcomed its government’s decision to end vaccine mandates from 4 April and increase indoor event capacity to 200 people from 25 March. Lisa Hopkins, chief executive of Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), stated: “This positive news from the prime minister will start to bring back vital confidence and clarity for event decision-makers. “Our sector hasn’t been able to work effectively since last August when traffic light settings of the Covid Protection Framework were set at Red and gathering numbers restricted to 100. Confidence has been at an all-time low,” Hopkins added. Speaking from Melbourne, where Hopkins is attending the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2022, Hopkins believes up to 100 multi-day international conferences and events are waiting to confirm bookings for New Zealand. “New Zealand has world-class venue infrastructure ready, with Te Pae Christchurch now open, Tākina Wellington for next year, and the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland to follow.”