Four people in white lab coats are working in a medical lab.

Wellington’s sectors of strength

Wellington is full of talented people who are breaking new ground and promoting creative ideas, innovation, and future thinking.

Key industries in Wellington

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A close-up shot over the left shoulder of a person looking at a petri dish under a microscope.

Science

Wellington’s connected science industry is full of experts making breakthroughs and discovering novel ideas, spanning established and emerging sectors.

The Mākara Wind Farm located near Mākara Beach during golden hour.

Climate action and environment

Wellington leads in climate innovation and environment restoration. Researchers, innovators, businesses, and academics are all focused on the climate challenge.

A person sits inside a NOVA, a large plastic sphere with virtual reality capabilities at eight360, a Wellington-based tech company.

Technology

Wellington is filled with technology pioneers, research institutes, and startups. The capital prides itself on being a strong hub for technology.

A person sits at a desk in an office using a Virtual Reality headset.

Screen

Wellington is recognised as a UNESCO City of Film and has a reputation as the creative city. It’s also the centre of New Zealand's digital and gaming community.

Why Wellington

Wellington is the compact, connected, and creative capital of New Zealand. It’s home to the government, and many central government agencies and industry associations.

New Zealand is ranked second out of 102 countries for open government. Wellington has a reputation for being progressive and impactful — it’s full of creative idea-makers at the forefront of challenging solutions for a better tomorrow. So it’s easy to tap into a wealth of forward-thinking ideas and experts to support your event.

The city is often described as New Zealand’s intellectual capital. Six out of 10 jobs are knowledge-intensive, the highest proportion in the country. While the region has 16.6% of the country’s professional, scientific, and technical services workforce. Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) ranks in the top 2% of universities worldwide.

Wellington’s growing knowledge hub is home to world-class science and research institutes. There’s a thriving tech sector and world-leading climate experts. Not to mention, there’s a UNESCO-recognised film industry.

There are direct flights to New Zealand and getting to Wellington is easy with its central location. The airport is a short drive to most inner-city venues and hotels.

Wellington is a compact city that’s easy to get around. The brand-new convention centre, Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, in the central city, is within walking distance of 4,000 hotel rooms. There is also excellent dining, entertainment, and attractions. Wellington is a fantastic place to inspire new ideas and bring people together.

Let’s talk

Business Events Wellington can help you deliver a successful international conference. As the official convention bureau, we work with local partners, including Tourism New Zealand. Contact the team to discuss funding and support to bring your conference to the capital.

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The members of the Business Events Team at WellingtonNZ.

Case studies

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Delegates attend the RANZCOG ASM at Tākina.

Creating a legacy in healthcare

The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) Annual Scientific Meeting expects to leave a legacy in improving healthcare outcomes for women.

A APNIC 58 worker helps two people find their way at Tākina.

APNIC 58 helps nurture the next generation

The recent Asia Pacific Network Information Centre conference was a great opportunity for students to meet and network with leaders in the internet industry.

Delegates talk at the New Zealand International Education Conference in 2024.

Sustainability initiatives part of NZIEC KI TUA success

Sustainability was top of mind at the New Zealand International Education Conference KI TUA held at Tākina Wellington Conference and Exhibition Centre.

Prof. Helen Danesh-Meyer speaking on stage at the New Zealand Women in Medicine Conference 2024.

Women in medicine build networks

The New Zealand Women in Medicine Charitable Trust’s Wellington conference united medical wāhine to tackle industry challenges and build a stronger community.

Four people sit at a table at the Life Sciences Summer 2024 at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Life Sciences Summit achieves breakthrough

Now in its second year, New Zealand’s Life Science Summit aims to create a better government understanding of the biotech sector.

Five people are sitting at a table, testing out newly developed computer games at the 2022 NZGDC Game Developers Conference at Te Papa.

Creative capital fit for game developers

Wellington was the platform for the New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA) conference to showcase its offering to the world.

Around 100 people looking up at the camera at the Interntaional Crustacean Congress at Te Papa in May 2023.

Wellington ideal destination for crustacean experts

A group of experts who study hard-shelled aquatic creatures have found Wellington, New Zealand the ideal place for the 10th International Crustacean Congress.

A presentation at the Lie Science Summit at Shed 6 located on Queens Wharf in Wellington Central.

Summit brings like minds together

New Zealand’s life sciences and biotech communities united for the very first time at Life Sciences Summit in Wellington.

Dr Ayesha Verrall speaks at the New Zealand Women in Medicine Conference 2022 at Te Papa.

Women in medicine converge on capital

Female medical professionals met face-to-face for the first time at their inaugural New Zealand Women in Medicine Conference in Wellington.