BEIA launches New Zealand Certificate in Business Events: Te Haeata

Minister Louise Upston opening the BEIA Conference

The Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Conference 2025 opened 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.

“This industry-led approach builds confidence in our workforce and supports sustainable growth for New Zealand's events and tourism sectors.”

She said the future of business events in New Zealand looked bright. 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.

Watch the Te Haeata video here

For more travel inspiration read the daily online "The Holiday and Travel Magazine" https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com/