Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement last week to reintroduce restrictions was disappointing but not unexpected.

Following a new COVID-19 outbreak, Auckland will be under Alert Level 3 and the rest of the country at Level 2 until 26 August 2020.

CINZ Australia general manager Sharon Auld said the organisation supports the New Zealand Government’s quick response.

“This could have been so much worse, but we have always stood by the government’s approach to maintaining the health of the country as a priority,” she told Spice News.

“For the business events industry, our objective is to support customers in making good decisions when it comes to events already booked.”

In Auckland under Alert Level 3, groups of up to 10 are permitted to gather, and outside of Auckland at Alert Level 2, the cap on events remains at 100 people.

Also under Alert Level 2, multiple groups of 100 are allowed provided they are in separate, defined spaces.

Business events a vital and safe economic driver

“We continue to remind the New Zealand Government that business events are the safest form of assembly due to being controlled and managed,” said Auld.

“Business events have always used technology to track and trace attendees and through registration of attendance, we are able to hold important information which supports the government’s own health initiatives.”

The business events sector contributes an estimated $8 billion in direct and indirect spend into New Zealand’s economy each year and employs more than 26,000 people.

“Our ask to the government is to partner with us in supporting this industry which will be critical in the overall economic and social recovery of the country,” said Auld.

For more information about New Zealand’s Alert System, click here.