New Zealand business events industry welcomes reduced restrictions

The New Zealand business events industry has welcomed the announcement by the New Zealand Government that vaccine mandates will end from 4th April, and indoor event capacity will be increased to 200 from this Friday, 25th March.

Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins says the reduction of restrictions is a further move in the right direction for the sector’s recovery after border reopening was announced last week.

Hopkins notes “this positive news from the Prime Minister will start to bring back vital confidence and clarity for event decision-makers. We look forward to the next review of the Covid Protection Framework settings on 4th April.

“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.”

Speaking from Melbourne today, where she is attending the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2022, Hopkins says 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.

“We are seeing a lot of interest and excitement here today. Event organisers in Australia are telling us they want to bring their client business back to New Zealand. The positive messages from the Prime Minister today will now drive a sense of surety as we work towards fewer restrictions,” Hopkins says.

Image: Te Pae Christchurch