News and Updates
A long time coming: NZEA NZ Event Awards recognise the nation’s top fixtures and event professionals
In finally hosting its annual Event Awards Gala Evening, the NZ Event Association (NZEA) has experienced first-hand the frustration, heartbreak, challenges, and ultimately triumphs faced by its members over the past two years.
The NZ Events Association (NZEA) is thrilled to announce its ‘Eventing the Future 2022’ conference is taking place at the Napier War Memorial Centre on 26 and 27 July. Nearly two years in the making, the premier National Events Industry Conference is finally back after multiple postponements forced by Covid restrictions.
Please take a minute to sign and share the petition to keep the Auckland Showgrounds open as a publicly accessible facility for the primary use of events, exhibitions and concerts as it has done so for over 120 years. Your signature could help save the Auckland events industry and keep the gates open to the public.
As per the Prime Minister's announcement this afternoon, there is no change to the settings of the COVID Protection Framework and all of New Zealand will remain at the Red setting. The next review of the settings has been brought forward to next Thursday 14 April.
On 30 March 2022, the NZEA wrote to Minister Nash regarding the potential lease of the the Auckland Showgrounds to the film industry.
Following yesterday's announcement of significant changes to the Covid-19 Protection Framework (CPF), the NZEA participated in a briefing session for the events sector associations with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) to further clarify the changes and what this means for our sector.
Today the Prime Minister announced significant changes to the Government's COVID-19 response.
In case you missed this on our social channels on Saturday, the Events Transition Support Payment scheme (ETSP), introduced in November 2021 to give event organisers financial certainty to host large scale events over summer, will be extended from 4 April 2022 to 31 January 2023.
Now that parliament has resumed, we have yesterday written to Hon Stuart Nash (Minister for Economic and Regional Development, Tourism Minister and Minister for Small Business) in a continuation of our correspondence from 2021.
MBIE have today confirmed the details of an immediate amendment to the payment triggers for the Events Transition Support Payment (ETSP) scheme.
The Arts and Culture Event Support Scheme will be boosted by $70.7 million – giving arts and cultural sector event organisers support to deliver planned events right through to the end of January 2023.
Red Setting for all of NZ
Today's move to the Red setting of the Covid Protection Framework (CPF), while not entirely unexpected, is nonetheless earlier than expected.
MBIE have today advised of an immediate amendment to the Events Transition Support Payment scheme.
Minister Carmel Sepuloni today announced the Arts and Culture Event Support Scheme which aims to provide certainty for event organisers, confidence for vaccinated New Zealanders to attend and enjoy events, and reassurance for artists and crew that they can get paid if their events can’t go ahead as planned.
Guidance to help business understand the changes coming under the COVID-19 protection Framework is now available.
Auckland border lift date & webinars
Further to the Prime Minister's announcement today, the Auckland border will be lifted on 15 December to those fully vaccinated or able to show a negative test result within the previous 72 hours. This requirement will be in place for the period of December 15, 2021 to January 17, 2022. From January 17, the Prime Minister said vaccination levels would be very high and testing and certificates would be used to slow the spread, noting we needed to move into a system where we didn't have hard borders.
Further to Tuesday's announcement of the Events Transition Support Payment (ETSP), the information is now live on the MBIE website.
The Government has this morning announced new financial support the events sector in the form of the Events Transition Support Scheme. For eligible events, the scheme is intended to shoulder 90% the risk of planning events and provide certainty to event organisers as we transition to the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
COVID-19 Protection Framework
Last Wednesday, the NZEA, along with other industry associations participated in an information session with DPMC, MBIE and the Ministry of Health to discuss the new COVID-19 Protection Framework.
The COVID-19 Protection Framework
This morning the Prime Minister announced the new COVID-19 Protection Framework. The framework allows for indoor and outdoor events using vaccination certificates to operate with no limits on numbers at the green and orange settings, and with limits of 100 at the red setting. Events not using vaccination certificates will be capped to 100 at the green setting and not able to operate at the orange and red settings.
Alert level decision
As per the Prime Minister's announcement today, Auckland will remain at alert level 3 with the current settings for at least a further 2 weeks, Waikato will also remain at level 3 with the situation to be reviewed this Friday.
Northland will shift to Alert Level 2 from 11:59pm tomorrow.
Alert level decision
As per the Prime Minister's announcement today, Auckland will remain at alert level 3 with the current settings for a further week, and Northland and Waikato to remain at level 3 with a review due this Thursday 14 October.
Today's alert level decision
As per this afternoon's announcement, areas in alert level 2 will have the 100 person gathering limit for seated indoor venues removed as of 11:59pm tomorrow. At this stage we understand this will apply to indoor seated events, however we will seek confirmation from DPMC as a matter of urgency.
Together, taking action for our events sector!
First of all, thank you to the 156 event professionals who contributed to our second COVID-19 industry impact snapshot survey last week. Respondents reported the cancellation of 428 events and postponement of 444 events.
55% of respondents to the NZ Event Association latest survey stated that the recent COVID-19 response has had a considerable financial impact on their organisation, whilst a further 23% stated that it had a moderate financial impact.
Auckland to move to Alert Level 3, the rest of NZ remains at alert level 2 with 100 person gathering limit
Auckland remains at alert level 4, rest of NZ at alert level 2
Further to yesterday's announcement, Auckland will remain at alert level 4 for a further week, with the rest of the country remaining at alert level 2. The Prime Minister has signaled that a move to alert level 3 from next Tuesday is likely for Auckland subject to the settings being reviewed on Monday.
Alert level 2 outside of Auckland from 11:59pm Tuesday. Auckland to remain at alert level 4.
Further to this afternoon's announcement, all of New Zealand, apart from Auckland, will move to alert level 2 from Tuesday night. Auckland will remain at alert level 4 until the settings are reviewed next week.
Further to our last update, we have now met with DPMC (Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet) to further clarify the points around the Government's 22 August announcement that those responsible for events will need to ensure people keep a record when they visit, either by scanning QR codes with the COVID-19 Tracer App or making a manual record.
Alert Level 3 south of Auckland from 11:59pm Tuesday 31 August
Auckland & Northland likely to remain at Alert Level 4 for further two weeks.
Alert Level 4 lockdown extended until Tuesday, 24 August nationwide
With today's confirmation that Alert Level 4 will be extended to 11:59pm on Tuesday 24 August our thoughts are with those event professionals whose events have been cancelled or postponed, and those who need to activate contingency plans at short notice. We certainly hope this rise in alert levels resolves quickly and that the events industry can continue with its recovery.
"By the end of 2024 landmark convention centres with a combined value of $1.4 billion are expected to have opened in the three main centres."
The events sector is also awaiting news of a possible closure, with the general manager of New Zealand Events Association, Segolene de Fontenay, saying closure would have a "flow-on effect" for the sector. There will be an issue for trying to secure talent, artists coming to New Zealand, whereby they would have to go through managed isolation.
Entries into the 2021 NZ Events Association NZ Event Awards closed in June with an all-time record of 108 entries. Ségolène de Fontenay, General Manager of the NZ Events Association (NZEA), says the record numbers this year are remarkable given the impacts of COVID-19 during the qualifying period.
This month, the NZ Events Association (NZEA) will farewell its outgoing Board Chair Graham Rouse as he comes to the end of his constitutional term.
Traction is gaining on a petition from New Zealand’s events sector which would see trade and consumer shows able to go ahead with safety measures under alert levels other than the baseline.
COVID Alert Levels
Auckland will join the rest of NZ at Alert Level 1 at midday today.
At Alert Level 1 there are no restrictions on travel, gatherings or events. However please ensure you continue to play your part, by implementing the Voluntary Code for the Events Sector (the COVID Code) and utilising the resources available via the Make Summer Unstoppable Campaign
"The uncertainty lockdowns can cause has impacted many industries, none more so than that of events."
Further to our eDM earlier today, please find below additional information received from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) this afternoon:
In light of the recent few community cases of COVID-19 and the upcoming long weekend(s), please make use of the resources available to support your events as part of the Make Summer Unstoppable campaign.
The Wiggles are struggling to get into New Zealand to play 25 scheduled shows on their We're All Fruit Salad Tour! because they can't find managed isolation spaces. The Panel speaks to Ségolène de Fontenay, General Manager of the New Zealand Events Association.
We’re all looking forward to a great summer, a summer with our whānau and families, a summer that’s good for our communities and is great for our businesses, events sector and economy. To help with this, the new COVID-19 advertising and public engagement campaign, Make Summer Unstoppable will be launching this Sunday.
1. Use the Events Sector Voluntary Code
For those hosting events in Auckland tonight and over the weekend, the Events Sector Voluntary Code (COVID Code) outlines what event organisers can do to safely hold events.
While the global events industry has faced unprecedented challenges through 2020, New Zealand events organisers, venues and the entire supply chain are positioned for a strong comeback, with pent-up demand, resurgent consumer spending, and a population eager to get out and about after the tough months of lockdown.
Long weekend events, play your part!
New Zealanders will be travelling far and wide this long weekend, if you're running an event you have a role to play in keeping your attendees, crew and New Zealand safe.
The Event Sector Voluntary Code, developed by New Zealand Major Events at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) with inputs from the Events Sector Association has recently been updated.
Today's alert level update.
As per this afternoon's announcement, the current alert level settings will be maintained nationwide for another week.
- Auckland's level 2.5 setting will be reviewed next Monday 21 September with a view to increase limits on social gatherings (distinct from controlled events) from Wednesday 23 September, provided case numbers track as expected.
- The rest of New Zealand will remain at level 2 with a view to move to level 1 at 11:59 on Monday 21 September, also contingent on case numbers.
Controlled events may take place with multiple groups of 100 in Auckland, and the rest of New Zealand, provided they are clearly separated into 'defined spaces'. The person in control of the defined spaces must have systems in place to ensure that the separate gatherings do not intermingle.
For full details please see the COVID-19 website and also the New Zealand Major Events website (please note if there is any contradiction between the two websites, the COVID-19 website applies).
In the meantime, we continue to advocate for our four pillars of action as per our latest media release.
Thanks again to all who participated in our latest industry survey issued alongside CINZ, EVANZ, ETNZ & NZPA, thanks also to Eventfinda and AuSAE who reached out to their audiences.
The events industry has seen 20,000 events cancelled or postponed as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This represents 50% of all events planned for 2020 according to a recent joint survey by New Zealand’s event associations.
Together, let's take further action for our events sector!
Further this afternoon's announcement on alert levels, we would appreciate you taking a few minutes to provide us with an update on where your organisation is at and what your future needs may be in this latest 'Taking the pulse' survey.
With today's shift in alert levels, our thoughts are with those event professionals whose events have been cancelled, and those who need to activate contingency plans at short notice. We certainly hope this rise in alert levels is short lived, and the events industry can continue with it's recovery.
In case you missed the exciting news on our social channels over the weekend, Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis announced on Saturday a $50 million Regional Events Fund as part of the $400 million Tourism Recovery Package.
Further to yesterday's update, the Domestic Events Fund is now open for applications! We strongly encourage you to apply to this fund as soon as possible.
Together, we have taken action for our events sector!
Further to our last update of 19 June, we had our second meeting yesterday with the Minister for Economic Development, Hon Phil Twyford along with other industry representatives as part of the ‘Event Sector Recovery Roadmap’.
First of all, thank you to the 180 organisations who contributed to our third COVID-19 industry impact survey closing this week:
Meeting with Minister Twyford scheduled
We are pleased to confirm that we that we have just been invited for another meeting with the Minister for Economic Development to discuss the ‘Event Sector Recovery Roadmap’ on Wednesday 24 June.
Further to Monday's announcement of the Alert Level 2 guidelines, we asked MBIE for a distinction between social gatherings and professionally organised events as the two are very different in terms of risk.
While today's budget announcement was not quite what we had expected for the sector, there was a beacon of hope in the comments made in parliament by the Prime Minister and Minister Robertson with mention of a recovery fund related to events to follow in the coming days ... so we believe we are moving in the right direction!
Together we have taken action for our events sector!
Thank you to all of you who submitted feedback on our proposed sector survival strategy last week.
NZEA presenting to the Epidemic Response Committee at NZ Parliament - @2h31’13”
Further to our update last Friday, the Minister for Economic Development, Hon Phil Twyford, has invited us to work with him over the coming month to create a COVID-19 'sector survival strategy' to progress our discussions of targeted support for the New Zealand events sector.
Taking further action for our events sector
Further to our update on Wednesday, the NZEA is pleased to say that we have had a positive first meeting with the Minister for Economic Development Hon Phil Twyford yesterday (also joined by EVANZ and CINZ representatives).
Taking further action for our events sector
On our second day at alert level 3, and following an ANZAC weekend with no official commemorations, we certainly hope we remain on track to see a resurgence of event activity in the coming weeks and months.
The Commission has released some guidance for businesses and consumers on consumers’ rights and businesses’ obligations for cancelled services and events.
Event organisers, suppliers, venues and artists in New Zealand are among those in a fight for survival with the global coronavirus pandemic causing a 100 per cent loss in activities and revenue, even before the country’s alert level 4 lockdown came into effect.
Event organisers, suppliers, venues and artists are among those within New Zealand’s substantial events sector that have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
Further to yesterday's announcement that all indoor and outdoor events over 500 people should be cancelled, the Government has today unveiled a $12.1b economic response package to combat the COVID-19 impact with almost half of the cash to be spent on a wage subsidy package for all coronavirus-impacted businesses.
The New Zealand events sector is increasingly concerned about the impact of COVID-19 following the weekend's announcement of stricter border controls, and the promise of further announcements to come regarding public gatherings.
NZEA is working closely with central government in order to assess the impact of the COVID-19 situation and what kind of sector support may be required.
In that regard, we'd appreciate a few minutes of your time to complete this survey so we can get a sense of COVID-19's impact on the events sector to date and share these insights with the government.
Following last week's industry update on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), we have some additional resources for the events industry to assist with planning and risk management for your events.
As the Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation develops, our country is feeling the impacts in terms of supply chain issues and travel restrictions. As of today, there is one confirmed case of the virus in New Zealand and the situation continues to evolve fast worldwide.
We therefore encourage you to stay informed and take some time to assess and plan for impacts on your events and business.
NZEA New Zealand Event Awards Finalists: Packed calendar delivers superior quality Event Awards Finalists
The announcement of the 2019 season finalists for the annual New Zealand Events Association (NZEA) New Zealand Event Awards highlights the superior quality of the events that keep the country and the world entertained.
"Section 12 of the Misuse of Drugs Act makes it a crime to knowingly permit a venue to be used for drug use, which means festival testing operates in a legal grey area"
We all know event workers often do crazy hours but with the risk of an incident occurring and it being found that the event member had worked 12 hours straight, it could easily come back to the employer and whether they provided appropriate breaks and support for the team member.
The NZEA New Zealand Events Awards opens today for all 2019 applications as it looks to celebrate another year of success and innovation in a dynamic industry.
The tourism Industry has launched a three-year package designed to improve perceptions of tourism careers, make it easier for young people to experience tourism careers with placements and open days, and ensure a positive experience for those in tourism employment.
In January, the NZEA provided feedback to Government on behalf of the events industry on the Aotearoa New Zealand Government Tourism Strategy.
Ticket scalping is a hot topic for both our industry professionals and the ticket-buying public. The Government is seeking feedback on a discussion paper to address ticket reselling issues.
Ticket scalping is a hot topic for both our industry professionals and the ticket-buying public. The Government is seeking feedback on a discussion paper to address ticket reselling issues.
If there’s one thing we do well in this country, it’s putting on events by their thousand, from Invercargill through to Cape Reinga. With the quality and number of events entered into the New Zealand Events Awards 2018, judges were hard pressed to pick winners – but they’ve done just that.
Last month, NZEA provided feedback to Government on behalf of the events industry on the Aotearoa New Zealand Government Tourism Strategy.
The New Zealand Events Association (NZEA) is seeking expressions of interest to join our Board to help achieve our vision of providing leadership and representation to inspire a world class events industry in NZ.
The New Zealand Event Awards finalists for 2018 were announced today by the New Zealand Events Association.
The NZEA Events Awards open today for all 2018 applications as they look to celebrate another amazing year of success and innovation in a dynamic industry.
It’s been a bumper year for events in New Zealand. That’s apparent in the winners of the flourishing New Zealand Awards, announced last night at a glittering ceremony held at SKYCITY.
New Zealand Event Awards Finalists for 2017 were announced today by the New Zealand Events Association.
The 2017 New Zealand Event Awards tickets are on sale now, so get in quick!
Entries open for the 2017 NZ Event Awards!
A practical guide to meeting your obligations under the new Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).
NZAEP are thrilled to congratulate the deserving winners of the 2016 New Zealand Event Awards.
NZAEP's guide to the new legislation.