New Zealand Councils are working closely with Sports Marketing International (SMI), with the team placing a number of dynamic events in unique destinations from major NRL games through to adventureracing and holistic health and wellbeing festivals.

SMI is working with multiple destinations including Hawkes Bay, Palmerston North and Nelson with the team assisting event owners to place major activities like the Vodafone Warriors’ first home games of the 2023 NRL season in Napier, the Hawkes Bay and Nelson Yoga Festivals and the inaugural 2023Geoquest 48hr Adventure Race in Hawkes Bay.

The Geoquest 48hr Adventure Race was a non-stop adventure including the disciplines of trekking, mountain biking and kayaking. Teams of four entered in one of three categories, Premier (Mixed), All-Female, or All-Male. There are usually two courses, the Full Course and the Geo-Half with an emphasis on teamwork, fitness and adventure.

SMA Director, Jason Sleeman, said New Zealand offered unlimited opportunities. “SMA is working closely with our NZ partners who all have a unique offering for event owners, especially in the adventure, passive recreation, music, wellness, and sports such as Golf, Indoor Stadium Sports, Rugby Union, Rugby League and Football to name a few” he said.  “NZ offers new opportunities to Australian based event promoters looking to expand into international markets without having added risk around travel, costs and other logistical issues”.