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New research released at the New Zealand International Convention Centre shows multi-day conferences and business events contributed $925 million to New Zealand’s economy in 2025.
The 12-month study, commissioned in partnership with Business Events Industry Aotearoa, provides what organisers describe as the first nationally consistent dataset measuring the economic value of multi-day conferences.
The sector generated approximately 1.50 million visitor nights nationwide in 2025. Total expenditure attributable to multi-day conferences reached $925 million, comprising $412 million in delegate spending (excluding registration fees), $433 million in event-related expenditure including registration fees, sponsorship and exhibitor income spent in New Zealand, and $80 million in companion spending.
Average daily spend by international conference delegates was $645 while attending events, higher than the typical daily spend of international holiday visitors. Total spend per delegate reached $3,726 for international attendees, $2,118 for domestic delegates travelling from elsewhere in New Zealand, and $999 for delegates from the host region.
BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins says the findings address a longstanding gap in consistent national data for the business events sector.
While international delegates contributed strongly, the research also highlighted the importance of domestic delegates travelling regionally, particularly during periods when international arrivals fluctuate.
The report, produced by Fresh Info researcher Shane Vuletich, integrates industry data with primary research tracking delegate activity, visitor behaviour and expenditure across 2025.
The findings were announced at ‘Te Panapana’, the first official business event hosted at the NZICC, which recently opened in Auckland. With NZICC now operating alongside Te Pae Christchurch and Tākina in Wellington, New Zealand’s purpose-built national convention centre network is complete.
Industry representatives say the expanded infrastructure strengthens the country’s ability to compete for larger-scale international conferences and supports long-term sector growth.
