This August 2026 report presents the findings of an independent review of New Zealand’s events system and identifies how it can become a more effective, coordinated and outcomes-focused system. Its findings are not Government policy.
The Events Boost Fund is a one-off $10 million fund which aims to increase international visitation and drive economic activity in the short-term through supporting the growth and promotion of events.
The Biometric Capability Update (BCU) project began in 2018 to modernise Immigration New Zealand’s identity systems. It was paused in November 2025 and ended in January 2026 after major delivery problems and rising costs. It did not deliver the planned capability. An independent review found serious weaknesses in governance, assurance, decision-making and culture. MBIE accepts these findings and is making changes to reduce the risk of this happening again.
The Major Events and Tourism Package will grow international visitor numbers, deliver economic growth, and position New Zealand as a major events and tourism destination.
Kaikōura will receive $835,000 from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) for a package of visitor infrastructure improvements designed to enhance the visitor experience and support tourism growth.
The Government has announced $1 million in funding from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy to enhance Northland’s Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail.
The Government will develop a Hospitality Action Plan. It will cover priority actions from the Hospitality Regulatory Review, the industry’s own Hospitality Summit Report, and related work already underway across agencies.
Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) have been awarded $5 million of funding from the Regional Tourism Boost Fund - Round 3.
Information about the International Visitor Survey (IVS) methodology, including its purpose, quality targets, population, sampling structure and collection, data processing, analysis and outputs.
The IVL annual performance reports are co-owned by MBIE and the Department of Conservation. They record how the revenue generated by the IVL is allocated, and measure the yearly progress made by the projects the IVL funds. Each reporting year runs from 1 July to 30 June.
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