BEIA Launches New Zealand Certificate in Business Events – Te Haeata

The Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Conference 2025 opened today with the launch of 'Te Haeata' – the New Zealand Certificate in Business Events – a new vocational learning programme and a major milestone for the industry.

New Zealand's first online business events industry training programme was announced by Hon Louise Upston, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality at the BEIA Conference 2025 at Cordis Auckland. Minister Upston also announced Government support for the new Level 4 Certification, with $145,000 funding from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy for qualification design, industry engagement and online delivery over 12 months.

BEIA Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins said Te Haeata had been developed by the industry, for the industry and shaped by the insights, experience, and passion of professionals who understand what it takes to deliver world-class events. “Te Haeata is as a collaborative effort between BEIA, Ringa Hora, Service IQ, and Grow Tourism with important input from industry, and represents a major step forward in building the capability and confidence of our workforce,” Hopkins said.

Te Haeata has been verified by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), aligning it with the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework. It will be owned by BEIA. The programme aims to enrol 200 learners in the first 18 months, with 50 additional learners annually. The first module will be available from February/March 2026, with the other modules rolling out over the following months. The first module of the qualification will also be delivered in secondary schools in 2027, as a taster pathway into the sector.

“Te Haeata addresses workforce shortages and supports the Tourism Growth Roadmap's long-term goal of building a skilled domestic workforce. It establishes an additional career pathway in the events sector for tourism and hospitality workers and supports the development of a higher-wage sector within the visitor economy. Investing in people through high-quality training ensures the sector thrives and delivers exceptional experiences,” Hopkins said.

Furthermore, according to findings in a recent survey conducted by Ringa Hora in partnership with BEIA, over 70% of organisations in the business events sector expected growth in event volume and an increase in recruitment to grow their teams in response, particularly for event coordinator-type roles, pointing to a strong demand for the proposed qualification and skill standards.

“The demand is further reinforced by a backlog of those who may be seeking formal qualifications. Attracting talent into the industry remains a challenge. Developing and retaining talent has never been more important. By investing in people and providing structured, high-quality training, we are helping to ensure the sector continues to thrive, delivering exceptional experiences that connect people, ideas, and opportunities both here in New Zealand and on the global stage,” Hopkins said.
 

New BEIA Board Members welcomed at 2025 AGM

New members have been welcomed to the Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) board after the 49th Annual General Meeting held on 26 November in Auckland.

Prue Daly, General Manager of New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has been re-elected to continue her leadership as Platinum Board Member for a further two-year term.

Ross Steele, General Manager of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre will join Prue for a one-year term as the other elected Platinum Board Member. He was previously a BEIA Platinum board member from 2022 to 2024 and will take over from Jacques Meyer of Cordis Auckland. 

Following elections today, Xanthe Smythe (on the right), Sales Manager for the Conference & Business Group at Sudima Hotels - Hind Management is the new Gold level board member. She replaces Vanessa Wallace who stepped down after one year. James Chatterley, Managing Director of Event Dynamics is the new Silver level member. He replaces Sam Holdich.

The 2025/26 BEIA Board members are:

• Board Chair, Martin Snedden

• BEIA Management, Lisa Hopkins
  Tourism New Zealand, Bjoern Spreitzer (co-opted)
  Air New Zealand, Iain Walker (co-opted)
   
• Platinum:
  NZICC/SkyCity Entertainment Group, Prue Daly
  Te Pae Christchurch, Ross Steele
   
• Gold:
  Sudima Hotels - Hind Management, Xanthe Smythe
   
• Silver:
  Event Dynamics, James Chatterley
   
• Appointed:
  Regional Tourism NZ, David Perks

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