New research unveiled today shines a spotlight on the powerhouse role multi-day conferences play in New Zealand's economy. Conducted by economist Shane Vuletich of Fresh Info in partnership with Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), the study quantifies that these events generated NZ$925 million in economic and productivity contributions throughout 2025 alone. This landmark data replaces outdated figures, offering a robust, nationally consistent snapshot derived from integrated industry data, delegate surveys, and primary research on visitor behavior and expenditure.
At its core, the analysis focuses on multi-day conferences—gatherings typically lasting several days that attract professionals for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration. These differ from short meetings or one-off events by drawing larger delegations, extending stays, and amplifying spend. With New Zealand's convention infrastructure maturing—highlighted by the recent opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC)—the sector is poised for even greater impact.
Breaking Down the Numbers: Delegates, Nights, and Dollars
The study's scale is impressive: 288,000 delegates attended multi-day conferences across the country in 2025, accompanied by 88,000 partners or family members. This influx translated to roughly 1.5 million visitor nights nationwide, fueling hotels, restaurants, transport, and local businesses.
Delegate expenditure alone (excluding registration fees) hit NZ$412 million. Adding event-related income like sponsorships, exhibitor fees, and registrations pushed total in-country spending to NZ$433 million, with companions contributing an extra NZ$80 million. Spend per delegate varied significantly: NZ$999 for local attendees, NZ$2,118 for domestic travelers, and a whopping NZ$3,726 for international visitors—reflecting longer stays and higher-value activities.
- International delegates averaged 8.03 nights and NZ$645 daily spend, outpacing leisure tourists' median of NZ$417.
- Domestic and local delegates bolster resilience, dispersing economic activity to regions when global travel dips.
Regional Dispersal: Spreading Prosperity Beyond Cities
One standout feature is how conferences drive regional tourism. Unlike leisure visitors who cluster in Auckland or Queenstown, business events encourage travel to secondary destinations. Venues like Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre and Wellington's Takina have hosted major gatherings, channeling funds into provincial economies. The research underscores that New Zealanders attending regional events sustain momentum, ensuring benefits flow nationwide even during international slowdowns.
For instance, domestic delegates often combine conferences with family trips, extending economic ripples. This dispersal supports smaller communities, from hospitality in Rotorua to transport in Hawke's Bay, aligning with government goals for balanced growth.
Beyond the Balance Sheet: Knowledge and Productivity Legacies
While direct spend grabs headlines, the true multiplier lies in intangibles. BEIA's Lisa Hopkins emphasizes: “Business events deliver long-term value through knowledge exchange, innovation, trade connections, and international connectivity—benefits supporting productivity, investment, and growth well beyond the event.”
Complementing this is The Conference Legacy Project, a three-year initiative by ChristchurchNZ and Tourism New Zealand, led by researcher Carmel Foley. Surveying delegates from events in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, it reveals 88% reported direct career or field advancements. Nearly 93% viewed host cities positively, with one in five exploring local work or study opportunities. Innovation outcomes scored high, accelerating sector progress.
These legacies—knowledge diffusion, new collaborations, talent attraction—quantify why conferences punch above their economic weight.
Higher Education's Pivotal Role in Conference Success
New Zealand's universities are linchpins in this ecosystem, frequently hosting or co-organizing high-impact academic conferences. Institutions like the University of Waikato (Economics Forum 2026), AUT (New Zealand Finance Meeting 2025), and Victoria University (NZAE Conference) draw global experts, blending research dissemination with economic infusion.
Academics often lead bids, as celebrated in Tourism New Zealand's 2025 Bid Champions Awards. These events not only showcase Kiwi research but attract international students and faculty, tying into the $4.5 billion international education export sector. For higher ed professionals eyeing opportunities, platforms like university jobs and higher ed jobs list roles in event coordination and research facilitation.
University-hosted gatherings amplify legacies: early-career researchers network globally, fostering collaborations that elevate NZ's research profile.
Case Studies: Real-World Wins from Kiwi Conferences
Consider the 11th International Conference on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology at Te Pae Christchurch—part of the Legacy Project. Delegates praised Māori programming integration, boosting cultural perceptions alongside scientific gains.
- University of Auckland's trade conference amid global uncertainties united policymakers and economists, sparking policy dialogues with economic ripple effects.
- Queenstown's 2025 New Zealand Finance Meeting convened finance leaders, injecting spend into a premier tourism hub while advancing fintech knowledge.
Securing 64 international wins worth $78.8 million in 2025 underscores bidding prowess, often university-led.
For more on career paths in academia, explore higher ed career advice.
Infrastructure Boost: Convention Centres Fuel Growth
New venues like NZICC (hosting the research launch), Takina, and Te Pae expand capacity. MEETINGS 2025 alone promises NZ$110 million over five years. Government funds like Events Boost ($10m) and Major Events Development Fund amplify returns, with studies confirming net positives.
Photo by Henry Storck on Unsplash
Challenges Ahead and Strategic Solutions
Despite optimism, hurdles persist: fragmented prior data, global disruptions, competition from Asia-Pacific hubs. Solutions include sustained investment, bid support funds (e.g., Wellington's for academics), and data-driven advocacy.
BEIA pushes for national strategies maximizing networks. Universities can leverage strengths in niche research conferences, partnering with recruitment services for talent.
Future Outlook: A Resilient Sector for Aotearoa
With infrastructure online and data solidifying ROI, projections are bullish. Productivity gains from knowledge transfer position NZ competitively. Policymakers should prioritize via MBIE partnerships. For educators and researchers, hosting amplifies impact—check rate my professor for insights or faculty jobs.
In summary, conferences aren't mere gatherings; they're economic engines and innovation catalysts. As Hopkins notes, they're “highly investable” for NZ's aspirations.
