New research estimates that multi-day conferences in New Zealand generated approximately 1.5 million visitor nights in 2025. Photo Credit: AdobeStock/YiuCheung
New research has put a clear dollar figure on the economic weight of New Zealand’s business events sector, showing it delivered NZ$925 million *US$553 million) in economic and productivity contributions in 2025.
The findings were announced at Te Panapana, the first official business event hosted at the New Zealand International Convention Centre.
Produced by Shane Vuletich of Fresh Info in conjunction with sector association Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), the research focuses on multi-day conferences, offering the most comprehensive snapshot of their economic and productivity impact to date.
The new research means the country’s business events sector “no longer has to rely on fragmented and outdated data to quantify the value of multi-day conferences”, BEIA stated.
According to the study, multi-day conferences held across New Zealand in 2025 attracted 288,000 delegates, along with 88,000 accompanying partners or family members, generating approximately 1.5 million visitor nights nationwide. Delegate spending alone accounted for NZ$412 million, excluding registration fees, while total event-related expenditure – including registration income, sponsorship and exhibitor spending – reached NZ$433 million within New Zealand. Companion travel added a further NZ$80 million to the economy.
International delegates emerged as a particularly high-value segment. On average, they stayed 8.03 nights in New Zealand and spent NZ$645 per day while attending conferences, a figure that exceeds the daily spend of typical leisure visitors.
BEIA’s chief executive, Lisa Hopkins, said the research underscores the broader role business events play in the national economy.
“This research reinforces that business events are not just a tourism activity,” Hopkins said. “They deliver long-term value through knowledge exchange, innovation, trade connections, and international connectivity. These are benefits that support productivity, investment and economic growth in New Zealand well beyond the end of the event itself.”