Events & Venues Rotorua

What Events & Venues Rotorua does

Events & Venues Rotorua is a venue management and event services entity owned and operated by Rotorua Lakes Council (the local government authority), based in Rotorua, New Zealand. The organization manages six distinct venues across the Rotorua district: the Energy Events Centre (a multi-purpose complex including the Unison Arena for up to 4,000 delegates, BayTrust Forum, Grand Hall with Maori cultural elements, and Southern Trust Sportsdrome), the Sir Howard Morrison Centre performing arts complex (featuring the 950+ seat Sir Owen Glenn Theatre, Te Haumako Black Box Theatre, and banquet and foyer spaces), the historic Te Runanga Tea House dating to 1903, the Rotorua International Stadium with capacity for 18,000 spectators, and over 110 public reserves. The company previously operated as the Rotorua Convention Centre before rebranding to its current identity.

The business model is B2B venue hire plus bundled event services. Revenue is generated primarily through hourly, daily, and event-based venue rental fees, supplemented by ticketing revenue through an in-venue Ticketmaster Box Office ($2 per ticket in-person, $8 per online/phone transaction), and by facilitating access to catering (Montana Food & Events, Plenty Group/Terrace Catering), audio-visual services (Vidcom NZ), theming (Event Impressions), exhibition services, and transport logistics through a network of preferred suppliers. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is direct enterprise sales through a dedicated business events team, a separate major events team, and venue-specific sales contacts, supported by a multi-channel marketing mix spanning the company website, the Mai Rotorua events portal, email newsletters, social media, print and radio advertising, and BEIA (Business Events Industry Aotearoa) Gold membership.

The company serves corporate event organizers, sports and entertainment promoters, wedding and private event planners, community organizations, and international sports federations. It supports over 100 outdoor events annually in Rotorua and has hosted major international events including the 2011 Rugby World Cup and the Crankworx World Tour. Rotorua was the only New Zealand region to receive the IFEA World Festival and Event City Award in 2013. The entity is not independently capitalized, has no funding rounds, and operates entirely as a council-managed service with no external equity investment.

Name

Events & Venues Rotorua

Legal name

Events & Venues Rotorua

Website

https://eventsandvenues.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Events & Venues Rotorua is a Rotorua Lakes Council-owned entity that manages six venues and 110+ public reserves, providing venue hire and bundled event services (catering, AV, ticketing, theming) for conferences, concerts, sports, weddings, and community events in Rotorua, New Zealand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Venue Management

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Venue Booking, Ticketing & Event-Day Services (Box Office, Guest Services) (MPAKAEAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arena & Stadium Operations (Large-Capacity Venues) (MPAGALAA), Convention & Exhibition Center Operations (Expo Halls, Trade Show Venues) (MPAGALAD), Venue-Owned/Operated Event Organizers (In-House Promoters) (MPAKADAI), Sports & Arena Event Venues (Stadiums, Arenas) (THAHAAAF), Concessions, Pop-Ups & Temporary Foodservice for Events (THAHAKAL)

Keywords

• Venue management services
• Event venue hire
• Conference and convention venues
• Event ticketing services
• Sports and concert venues

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotorua

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Venue Rental: Primary revenue from renting out venue spaces including the Energy Events Centre, Sir Howard Morrison Centre, Rotorua Stadium, and Te Runanga Tea House. Revenue is generated through hourly/daily/event-based venue hire fees.
2. Event Services: Additional revenue from bundled event services including catering coordination, audio-visual equipment and support, theming, exhibition services, and transport logistics. Services are provided through preferred supplier partnerships.
3. Ticketing Services: Revenue from Ticketmaster Box Office operations at Sir Howard Morrison Centre. Ticket fees include $2.00 per ticket for box office purchases and $8.00 transaction fee for online/phone purchases.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Events & Venues Rotorua manages six venues across Rotorua, New Zealand — the Energy Events Centre, Sir Howard Morrison Centre, Te Runanga Tea House, Rotorua International Stadium, and over 110 public parks and reserves — providing venue hire for conferences, exhibitions, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and community events. The company offers bundled event services including ticketing via Ticketmaster Box Office, audio-visual production, contracted catering, theming, exhibition support, and event marketing, delivered alongside the venue hire for corporate event organizers, sports and entertainment promoters, and community groups.

Product overview

Events & Venues Rotorua operates as a venue management organization managing six main venues across Rotorua, New Zealand. The portfolio comprises the Energy Events Centre (a multi-purpose complex with Unison Arena, BayTrust Forum, Grand Hall, and Southern Trust Sportsdrome), Sir Howard Morrison Centre (performing arts venue with Sir Owen Glenn Theatre, Te Haumako Black Box Theatre, and flexible event spaces), Te Runanga Tea House (historic 1903 heritage venue), Rotorua Stadium (outdoor stadium for 18,000), and Parks & Reserves. Beyond venue hire, the organization offers ancillary services including Ticketmaster Box Office ticketing, audio-visual services via Vidcom NZ, event catering through contracted providers, event marketing, exhibition services, and theming services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Energy Events Centre

Quantifiable outcome

• Hosts 100+ outdoor events annually and supports over 100 community outdoor events per year
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Montana Food & EventscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracted caterer for Energy Events Centre and Rotorua Stadium, providing full catering services for events at these venues. Tash Davies serves as Head of Events & Functions.
• Plenty Group (Terrace Catering)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred caterer for Sir Howard Morrison Centre and Te Runanga Tea House. Natasha Hall serves as General Manager - Plenty Group.
• Vidcom NZcoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred audio-visual supplier for Energy Events Centre. Provides full range of AV solutions for conferences, award dinners, exhibitions, and live events with locally-based Rotorua team.
• Event ImpressionscoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred event styling partner for Rotorua Energy Events Centre. Provides bespoke styling solutions including custom table linen, centrepieces, staging, furniture and decor for conferences, gala dinners, and corporate events.
• Super ShuttleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDoor-to-door shuttle service servicing Rotorua Airport and city, offering transport solutions for event attendees and conference delegates.
• Budget RentalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCar rental provider recommended for event attendees and conference groups requiring vehicle transport.
• Rotorua TaxisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal taxi fleet providing comprehensive transport services for event attendees, utilizing latest technology for efficient service.
• Town & Country TouringminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides full transport services for conference groups from airport arrival through event duration.
• Air New ZealandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational airline providing connectivity to Rotorua from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown for event attendees and delegates.
• TicketmastercoreTechnology or IntegrationTicketmaster Box Office operated within Sir Howard Morrison Centre foyer. Provides ticketing services for local and national events with online, phone, and in-person purchase options.
• RotoruaNZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic Development Agency and Regional Tourism Organisation for Rotorua district. Partners on destination marketing, event investment fund, and promoting Rotorua as a conference and major event destination.
• Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold member of BEIA, the marketing organization promoting New Zealand as a conference and incentive destination.
• Rotorua Lakes CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization. Rotorua Lakes Council is the local governing body overseeing Events & Venues Rotorua and providing administrative support.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Hamilton Venue Management (Claudelands): Hamilton-based venue operator including Claudelands Event Centre. Competes for North Island regional conference and exhibition business with similar mid-scale capacity profile to Energy Events Centre.
• Wellington Venues (Tākata Moana): Wellington City Council entity operating TSB Bank Arena, St James Theatre, and other venues. Comparable multi-venue council operation hosting concerts, conferences, and sporting events in NZ's capital.
• New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC): Auckland-based purpose-built convention centre. Competes with Rotorua Energy Events Centre for large-scale national and international conference bookings in the New Zealand market.
• ChristchurchNZ Venues: Operates Christchurch Town Hall and other civic venues for conferences, concerts, and sporting events. Directly comparable as a New Zealand regional venues operator competing for national conference and entertainment bookings.

Others

• Ticketek New Zealand: Major NZ ticketing services provider comparable to the integrated Ticketmaster Box Office operated at Sir Howard Morrison Centre. Adjacent ecosystem participant in the same NZ live events market.
• RotoruaNZ: Regional tourism organisation and economic development agency for Rotorua district. Partner and ecosystem participant working with Events & Venues Rotorua on destination marketing and event investment fund promotion.

Regional players

• ASB Baypark / Mercury Arena: Tauranga-based multi-venue complex with arena and stadium facilities, located in the Bay of Plenty region adjacent to Rotorua. Comparable event hosting for sports, concerts, and exhibitions within the same regional catchment.

Broad incumbents

• Auckland Live: Auckland Council-controlled venues operator managing Aotea Centre, Auckland Town Hall, and Civic Theatre. Direct comparison as a New Zealand council-operated multi-venue portfolio targeting conferences, performing arts, and community events, though at a larger metropolitan scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Rotoruaevents
• Facebookfacebook.com/rotoruaevents
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/events-&-venues-rotorua
• Instagraminstagram.com/rotoruanz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Events & Venues Rotorua