The emergence of Auckland as a world-class destination for business travel was examined during a high-impact leadership conversation (Kōrero) at MEETINGS 2025 in Auckland yesterday, exploring the future of New Zealand’s business events industry.
The transformation applies to New Zealand as a whole, not just its largest city.
Infrastructure, immigration, global uncertainty, and investment were among the topics discussed yesterday as key industry and government leaders, global sector leaders, and media were hosted for a leadership conversation (Kōrero) exploring the future of New Zealand’s business events industry.
“Our Kōrero centred on the key forces shaping business events in Aotearoa New Zealand, grounded in leadership, investment, and shared goals for growth. We asked the hard questions: what lies ahead, and how do we continue to shape our industry to ensure it thrives, said Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Chief Executive, Lisa Hopkins.
Korero session at MEETINGS
“The answers were optimistic, and the conditions for meaningful change, for real impact, are finally on our side,” she said.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive, Nick Hill, opened Kōrero today and focused on the city’s evolution as a world-class destination for business events. He outlined the strategic value of business events to Auckland’s economy, culture, and identity. Significant investments, including the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), upgraded airport transport infrastructure, and increased hotel capacity, are strengthening the city’s position on the global stage.
Bullish
“We are bullish about the next five years, and business events are a key part of the equation. This year we have seen an estimated $48.5 million economic impact compared to $35.8 million last year – a 35% increase. This equates to a 31% increase in total attendees (34,000) and a 48% increase in total visitor nights (113 thousand). Auckland has a significant business pipeline in progress which, if successful, is estimated to add an additional $107 million,” Hill said.
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy shared the outcomes of the Business Events Boost Fund, a government investment initiative nearing the completion of its first three months. The new fund, which has been extended for another year, has helped elevate New Zealand’s global competitiveness through enhanced bidding and marketing activity.
“Tourism New Zealand is aiming to achieve its highest ever value target for international conferences in FY26, to make 110 bids valued at $185 million. New Zealand is perceived as a safe, welcoming, and politically stable destination. “Infrastructure build makes us competitive in the international space, making our birds even more powerful,” de Monchy said.
Zesty Kiwi charm on wheels! Business never tasted so fresh at MEETINGS 2025.
Streamlined visa access
Immigration New Zealand’s visa expert, Jock Gilray covered the importance of streamlined visa access for international delegates who require visas. He outlined recent advancements in visa processing, including event-specific support. “We have introduced a dedicated process to better support large groups and encourage event organisers to notify INZ early about future events.”
A dedicated session on Infrastructure Development focused on transformative investments across major new venues, airports, and transport networks. One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch, NZICC, Auckland Airport, and Air New Zealand are all strengthening New Zealand’s capacity to attract and deliver impactful business events, driving wider economic, social, and cultural benefits.
NZICC General Manager, Prue Daly, outlined the economic and social benefits of business events for Auckland and New Zealand.
“After opening in February 2026 NZICC will bring an estimated 33,000 new international delegates to Auckland, New Zealand per year contributing $90 million of new economic spend year. There are 23 international events confirmed between 2026 and 2028 with 23,000 delegates and 126,000 visitor days,” she said.
The Geo-Political Panel Session brought together global experts, including Sven Bossu, International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), Florence Chua, Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Matt Pearce, Australian Business Events Association (ABEA), and Lisa Hopkins (BEIA). Discussions included how world events – from political uncertainty and climate change to AI and storytelling — are reshaping the business events landscape, how destinations need to adapt, and how diplomacy and narrative can foster resilience and growth.
Global uncertainty
Lisa Hopkins said that, with global uncertainty top of mind for many on the floor, New Zealand is increasingly seen as a trusted, safe, and aspirational choice, appealing to both conferences and incentive events.
“Incentives are a huge opportunity, especially from Australia, Asia and North America, which, coincidentally, aligns beautifully with Tourism New Zealand’s strategic focus.
“Tourism New Zealand has brought buyers here from North America to experience our offer firsthand, and the early feedback is promising. An international conference delegate might spend around NZ$4000, excluding flights. An incentive traveller’s spend can more than double, on average, to around NZ$9000 per person, and it’s higher-end, longer-stay, deeper-engagement travel.
“We often talk about the economic impact of business events, and we should. But there’s something else that’s just as powerful, and sometimes gets missed: the soft power we influence.
“We don’t sign peace treaties, cure diseases, or negotiate trade deals. But we bring the people together who do. We create the spaces where ideas are exchanged, trust is built, relationships begin, and the future takes shape. That’s critical for New Zealand and something to be deeply proud of,” Hopkins said.
Written by Peter Needham at MEETINGS in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland
