Hosting their annual regional conventions once a year, Jehovah’s Witnesses held their 2026 convention in Auckland, New Zealand, from Friday, 9 January, to Sunday, 11 January 2026. The usual three-day event, which usually features Bible talks, videos, dramas, and spiritual instruction, though being open and free to the public, ended up contributing to the country in a vast number regarding the economy.
The major Jehovah’s Witness convention, which was held in Auckland over the weekend, has delivered a welcome economic shot for the city, with forecasts suggesting it has injected more than NZ $20 million into the local economy. The three-day event not only attracted thousands of visitors but also helped lift hotel occupancy and boost spending across hospitality and retail sectors.
Organizers and industry officials say the convention generated an estimated 60,000 visitor nights, with hotel occupancy rising to around 85 percent during the event. That figure is significantly higher than usual levels at this time of the year and demonstrates the value of large events in drawing people into Auckland’s central business district.
According to James Doolan, strategic director of Hotel Council Aotearoa, large-scale gatherings like the convention are critical to sustaining demand for accommodation in a city with around 14,000 hotel rooms that need to be filled year-round. “Events attract people to Auckland, and it creates what’s called compression,” Doolan told Morning Report, highlighting how conferences and faith-based gatherings help maintain tourism momentum outside peak holiday periods.
Doolan also stressed the broader economic importance of events, saying Auckland must continue to pursue both international and domestic visitors to surpass pre-Covid tourism levels. He added that securing major conventions requires long-term planning and investment, often including subvention payments, financial incentives designed to attract organizers to Auckland over competing destinations around the world.
There are wider implications too. With Auckland’s new New Zealand International Convention Centre set to open soon, industry leaders are remaining hopeful that future conferences and conventions will continue to strengthen the city’s attraction as an event hub. Large gatherings not only benefit accommodation providers but also other businesses. Acting as support for restaurants, transport services, retailers, and attractions, spreading economic benefits across multiple sectors, one can see how for the private sector, this comes as a high advantage.
The central government also benefits from increased tourist spending, as visitors pay goods and services tax on top of their expenses, a point Doolan highlighted in discussions about funding support for major events.
The Jehovah’s Witness convention is a strong example of how faith-based and business events alike can play a key role in revitalizing city economies, helping Auckland leverage its infrastructure and hospitality resources while showcasing the city on an international stage.
