For the first time ever, the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) is bringing its TEA SATE Asia-Pacific Conference to New Zealand from August 24-29, 2025.
The landmark event is a collaboration with local partners Wētā Workshop and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU). The conference will take a unique, travelling approach, highlighting many of the country’s most iconic destinations and attractions.
Attendees from over a dozen countries will learn from global leaders and innovators about the state of the industry.
“Our members have wanted to visit and learn from New Zealand for quite some time,” said Melissa Oviedo, CEO of TEA. “By working closely with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and New Zealand-based member company Wētā Workshop, we are proud to host this exclusive opportunity.”
Kicking off at Auckland’s Sky Tower, the conference will feature experiences at The All Blacks Experience Tour and Wētā Workshop Unleashed in Auckland, The Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, and The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wētā Workshop, and The World of WearableArt in Wellington. Other stops include HyperCinema in Auckland and the Roxy Cinema in Wellington.
A key highlight will be an exclusive visit to Wētā Workshop in Wellington, which includes a special dinner at the Wētā Workshop Unleashed experience.
A major draw of the conference is an exclusive preview of the 2024 TEA Global Index report, presented by Entertainment and Cultural Advisors. This annual study provides critical data on worldwide attraction attendance and offers valuable insights into the trends shaping the global leisure and entertainment markets. Attendees will receive an executive summary and key findings before the report’s official public release.
