International travel buyers made an estimated $100 million in sales with New Zealand tourism businesses as a result of TRENZ 2025, according to independent research by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research.
The research, commissioned by Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust, tracked results over a year. It found that TRENZ added an estimated $21 million to New Zealand’s GDP, money that flows to accommodation providers, tour operators, transport companies and attractions and on to their staff, suppliers and communities.
Rotorua’s share
Rotorua hosted TRENZ in 2025. The region gained an estimated $4 million in GDP, and local tourism businesses secured an estimated $16 million in sales.
Operators who took part reported an estimated 85% return on their investment one year later, which works out at about $1.85 back for every dollar spent.
TRENZ is New Zealand’s largest international tourism trade event. It brings overseas travel buyers together with New Zealand operators so they can build the relationships that turn into bookings.
Why it matters beyond tourism
Tourism Industry Aotearoa Chief Executive Rebecca Ingram says the results show the event matters well beyond the industry itself.
“When an overseas buyer signs up a New Zealand operator at TRENZ, that becomes visitors in our towns over the following years. They stay in local hotels, eat in local cafés and book local guides. This research puts a qualified number on the impact this has on our communities,” Ingram says.
“For tourism operators, the return is clear. For the host region there’s an immediate and tangible economic lift. And for New Zealand as a country, it generates steady international business that supports jobs across the country.”
RotoruaNZ Chief Executive Andrew Wilson says the region went all out when it got the chance to host. “We wanted to connect local operators with international buyers, but we also wanted every delegate to have an experience of Rotorua they would remember,” he says.
“We saw first-hand the value of having TRENZ in Rotorua, from the activity it created across the visitor economy to the connections our local operators were able to make. It’s great to now see that wider impact reflected in the economic results.”
Auckland feedback
A separate report by Verian looked at how buyers and sellers valued this year’s TRENZ, held in Auckland in May. Ingram says the event was a roaring success and that confirmation of its economic impact for the city will come next year once the economic monitoring research is complete.
Early feedback suggests one in four tourism businesses expects to generate more than $250,000 in new turnover from attending, and 90% of sellers said TRENZ was the most efficient and impactful way to connect with global travel trade.
Christchurch next
TRENZ 2027 will run from 11 to 13 May 2027 in Christchurch, bringing New Zealand tourism businesses together with buyers from around the world. Seller registrations are now open, and early applications are encouraged because of expected demand. Almost 90% of sellers who attended this year said they were likely to return in 2027.
Applications close when capacity is reached or on 19 November 2026, whichever comes first. Details are at www.trenz.co.nz.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa is the country’s peak industry body for tourism and has about 1,200 member businesses, from small owner operators to large listed corporates and international hotel chains. Alongside TRENZ it runs events including the New Zealand Tourism Awards, regional Discussing Tourism sessions and Tourism Summit Aotearoa.
