New Zealand's MICE Options Expand as Te Pae Convention Centre Opens in Christchurch

(17 Dec 2021)  New Zealand expanded its MICE capabilities this week, with the opening of a brand new convention centre in Christchurch.

Set on the Otakaro Avon river in the city centre, the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre features 24 meeting rooms - including a 1000-seat riverside banquet room, up to 3,300sqm of exhibition space and a 1,400-seat auditorium that can be configured into two completely autonomous spaces.

The Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is set on the Otakaro Avon river in the city centre

“Te Pae Christchurch is a landmark building, purpose-built for the most modern city in New Zealand,” said Lisa Hopkins, Chief Executive of Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA). “It is a credit to the Crown who developed this magnificent space, and to ASM Global who are running it for the future with a long-term view. With the opening of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch is showcasing the capability and increasing the capacity of New Zealand to host exceptional business events.”

The impact of the MICE sector on New Zealand’s economy includes financial, social, regional investment and environmental.

In 2019, the business events industry in New Zealand was valued at $1.5 billion per annum, with over 3.6 million attendees both domestic and international, employing 22,000 people.

However, since the start of COVID19, the value of the sector has reduced by 78 per cent. This can be attributed to a combination of reduced international visitors due to border closures, the impact of Alert Level 2, 3 and 4 restrictions, and the compounding lack of confidence from the sector.

Despite that, the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre has already reported strong domestic bookings for the year ahead, as well as from international markets, particularly Australia.