Destination Rotorua business events manager Craig Murray. Photo / Stephen Parker
A string of international business events will bring thousands of delegates to Rotorua in the next five weeks, and millions of dollars with them.
The busiest time for multi-day conferences and events in Rotorua is typically April to November.
They injected $34 million into the Rotorua economy and accounted for 74,000 room nights booked last year, according to Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment figures.
The average delegate spent is $465 in Rotorua per day.
More than 1200 delegates will arrive this weekend for the IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion, the largest international conference to come to Rotorua.
The estimated economic impact to New Zealand from the conference will be $2.4m, with over 80 per cent of that spent in Rotorua.
The event follows the Pacific Summit on circular economies (without waste) held at Te Puia this week, and MobileTECH 2019 that brought together 300 technology leaders and primary industry sector members.
Other conferences in the coming weeks include the Asia Pacific Security Innovation Summit on April 17 and 18 that will bring delegations from NATO, the Pentagon and the Royal Thai Air Force, before another 200 arrive for the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Winter Symposium from April 30 to May 3.
Just 10 days later 1200 people are expected at TRENZ in Rotorua, New Zealand's biggest annual business-to-business travel and trade event.
Destination Rotorua business events manager Craig Murray said the delegations provided a good source of visitors to Rotorua during the tourism industry's quieter months.
"We work in partnership with the local hospitality and conference industry to prioritise activity-rich corporate conferences and those with a natural link to the district, with topics such as indigenous culture, forest, and forest-based sciences, geothermal and environmental sciences, and health and wellness."
He said Rotorua was facing a "really busy five weeks in business events".
Destination Rotorua has launched a new app called In Rotorua, with details of business events happening and links for taxi companies, restaurants and hotels.
Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said organisers of international conferences were "choosing to come here to see the cultural point of difference".
"The world is starting to see the value of indigenous inclusion and partnerships in general and that's what I want to share with the delegates at these conferences. It comes down to localism, working together for shared outcomes that benefit the whole community and make us stronger."
Waiariki MP Tāmati Coffey said Rotorua's event and conferences calendar was "a fantastic asset to support the growth of our city's economy, mātauranga and reputation for manaakitanga".
"By helping to keep our rohe vibrant 365 days a year, events like these create sustainable jobs, lift excitement within our community, help prevent our hospitality industries and others from becoming seasonal, as well as aid in highlighting te ao and te reo Māori to the world."
Rotorua MP Todd McClay said large conferences were "very good" for Rotorua.
"They provide positive exposure for our city and help drive the local economy."
He said conference tourism was extremely competitive.
"We should be doing everything possible to attract more conferences to Rotorua, including ensuring the Howard Morrison Centre is open again as soon as possible."
The Rotorua organising committee for the upcoming health promotion conference includes local leaders such as Te Arawa kaumātua Sir Toby Curtis and Lakes DHB Māori health general manager Phyllis Tangitu.
Renowned psychiatrist, Māori health and social policy leader, and academic Sir Mason Durie will make a speech.
He told the Rotorua Daily Post securing the event was a big achievement, considering the competition from much bigger countries.
"The conference comes at a good time. New Zealand is embarking on programmes that look at wellness as well as sickness. This will help cement that message."
He will be using the Southern Cross and Matariki star constellations to explain the breadth of indigenous health promotion in his speech.
A disregard for authority could be why those attending court are thumbing their noses.