Blog

Landmark partnership announced with Q TheatreWe have some huge news to share - music to the ears of the Aotearoa events scene. We’ve officially entered into a landmark partnership with Queen Street venue Q Theatre, the home of multi-form performing arts in midtown Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.This isn’t just a change in software. It’s a collaboration between two local organisations deeply committed to the growth and sustainability of the arts sector in Aotearoa, underpinned by world-class innovation and hands-on industry support.Why this matters for the arts - and for promotersQ Theatre is a vital hub for creativity in New Zealand, and it deserves a ticketing partner that understands the local landscape. As an NZ-grown and owned team, we know what makes Kiwi audiences tick - and what promoters need to succeed.Our Chief Commercial Officer, Sarah Cowley, puts it best:“This is more than just a ticketing provider change; it’s a commitment to the future of performing arts. Q Theatre is a vital hub for enabling performing arts in Aotearoa. Our innovative ticketing technology, combined with deep industry knowledge and support, ensures Q hirers and producers have access to world-class ticketing, meaningful data and insights, and the service needed to grow audiences and thrive.”Whether you’re a producer planning a season, a promoter scaling your events, or a patron discovering your next favourite show, this partnership is designed to deliver a better experience at every stage.What Q Theatre has to say“We are delighted to outsource our ticketing to iTICKET. We recognise the tremendous benefit this brings to Q, our hirers, patrons and the wider industry in terms of functionality, industry support, knowledge and excellent ticketing service,”&nbsp; Sally-Anne Kerr, Chief Executive, Q TheatreWhat you can expect from this long-term partnership<ul><li>Cutting-edge innovation – Transitioning to our award-winning, agile ticketing model</li><li>Local, dedicated care – Real humans providing expert guidance and hands-on support</li><li>Unparalleled service – A shared commitment to the growth and evolution of the arts sector in New Zealand</li></ul>We’re proud to be supporting the incredible team at Q Theatre and look forward to helping their hirers and producers connect with audiences more effectively than ever.🎟️ See you at a show soon.

Q Theatre & iTICKET Create New Partnership

PayPlan, our new flexible way to pay, allows ticket holders to pay on their own terms! PayPlan offers weekly, fortnightly, or monthly payments. Ticket buyers will enjoy peace of mind having their tickets locked in and will receive them once payment has been made in full, along with choosing how often and how much they pay.This feature is best suited to higher-priced orders $100+ and a longer sales period. We'll work with you to set the deposit amount, min/max installments and cut-off date to suit your event. &nbsp;Think of PayPlan as a longer term 'Buy Now Pay Later' option, with our existing Afterpay integration providing shorter term options across the board.Reach out to your Account Manager for further details if you’re interested in having PayPlan as a payment option for your next event.<figure id="figure-3iny6spdcambik2qng"><img id="3iny6spdcambik2qng" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/30bVEJmDy5Cj59sT7hwOzqEWyu4lGtVJ4Irh221Cv9wJIlZuCuO8UPrkM330hCr6.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl selected" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="Example of PayPlan breakdown at checkout" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/30bVEJmDy5Cj59sT7hwOzqEWyu4lGtVJ4Irh221Cv9wJIlZuCuO8UPrkM330hCr6.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-mce-selected="1"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Example of PayPlan breakdown at checkout</figcaption></figure>

Introducing iTICKET PayPlan

At iTICKET, we’re all about making ticketing simple, transparent, and fair. That’s why we’re proud to support the New Zealand Ticketing Code of Practice, which was signed into existence in October 2024.&nbsp;This framework is a game-changer for Aotearoa’s live events scene, tackling challenges unique to our market and setting clear expectations for everyone involved—venues, promoters, and, most importantly, ticket buyers.Let’s dive into why this code matters and how it’s shaping the future of live entertainment in New Zealand.Why was this code needed?For years, New Zealand relied on Australia’s ticketing code of conduct, created by Live Performance Australia (LPA). It worked for a time, but as our live events industry grew, it became clear we needed something tailored to our own challenges and opportunities.Here are the main reasons the code was developed:<ul><li>Misleading Practices: Some ticketing companies were less than transparent, with hidden fees and unclear refund policies that left consumers confused and frustrated.</li><li>Consumer Protection: A local framework was needed to give Kiwis confidence when buying tickets, ensuring they understood their rights and could trust the system.</li><li>Ethical Standards: As live events boomed in Aotearoa, EVANZ (Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand) and industry leaders saw the need for consistent, fair ticketing practices.</li></ul>Sadly, there have been cases where ticketing companies collapsed, leaving venues, promoters, and customers out of pocket - sometimes by millions of dollars. The new code aims to prevent that, restoring trust and protecting everyone involved.What’s in it for the industry?The Industry Code of Practice is essentially a blueprint for ticketing done right. It covers everything: advertising, ticket sales, rescheduling, refunds, resale—you name it.Here’s how it helps industry professionals:<ul><li>Clear Legal Guidance: Whether you’re a venue, promoter, or agent, the code helps you stay compliant with New Zealand laws.</li><li>A Handy Training Tool: Onboarding new staff? The code is a great resource to get them up to speed on best practices and how to handle customer questions.</li><li>Confidence in Processes: Promoters and venue managers can operate knowing they’re ticking all the legal and ethical boxes, reducing risk and ensuring consistency.</li></ul>How does the code benefit consumers?At its heart, this code is all about making life easier for ticket buyers. The accompanying Simplified Consumer Code breaks down the dos and don’ts in plain language, giving customers a clear understanding of their rights.Here’s what consumers can expect:<ul><li>Stronger Protections: From refund policies to terms and conditions, everything is designed to be upfront and easy to understand.</li><li>Legal Alignment: The code ensures ticketing practices meet the standards of the Fair Trading Act 1986 and the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, so buyers can trust the system.</li><li>Clear Dispute Resolution: Got a complaint? The code outlines straightforward steps to resolve issues fairly.</li></ul>Ultimately, this transparency builds trust, empowering consumers and boosting confidence in the live events industry.A collaborative effortThis code wasn’t created in a vacuum. Over two years, it was developed with input from iTICKET, Eventfinda, Ticketek, Ticketmaster, EVANZ, and the New Zealand Promoters Association (NZPA). By bringing all these voices to the table, the code reflects the real needs of our industry and aligns with global best practices.With such widespread support, any provider choosing not to adopt the code will face serious questions about their reliability. At iTICKET, we’re fully behind it because we believe it’s vital for maintaining trust and stability in our sector.What’s next?Introducing this code is a big milestone, but it’s just the start. As the live events landscape evolves, a dedicated working group will continue to review and refine the code, ensuring it stays relevant and effective.For us at iTICKET, supporting this code isn’t just about ticking boxes - it’s about doing the right thing for our customers and the industry. We’re committed to creating a ticketing experience that’s fair, transparent, and future-proof.Together, under this new framework, we can build a stronger, more sustainable live events industry. Whether you’re a promoter, a venue, or a fan, everyone wins when ticketing is done right - and iTICKET is proud to lead the charge.‍‍‍

iTICKET supports the New Zealand Ticketing Code of Practice

The challenges we face can become opportunities. They bring us together, inspiring collaboration that combines varied perspectives, knowledge, and expertise to find solutions - or sometimes, entirely new innovations.At iTICKET, People &amp; Technology are at the heart of live events. We use technology to improve, streamline and/or advance the customer journey, from the moment they consider purchasing a ticket right through to the event day and beyond. &nbsp;&nbsp;We believe that our mission, collaborative spirit and passion for long-term partnerships drive us to go above and beyond the ordinary. We aim to help promoters create phenomenal live experiences through innovative ticketing solutions. That’s why we’re incredibly honoured to be recognised with a recent award for Best Technology Innovation at the 2024 New Zealand Events Association (NZEA) Awards.&nbsp;The project: Toast MartinboroughThe Toast Martinborough festival has been a long-term, loyal and collaborative iTICKET partner. This beloved wine and food celebration draws around 7000 attendees each year, and as one of New Zealand’s premier events, Toast Martinborough consistently seeks new ways to enhance the experience for festival-goers while ensuring smooth, behind-the-scenes operations.Toast Martinborough approached us with a challenge: they wanted a way to better manage the flow of people, improve their queue management, and optimise site capacity across multiple greenfield sites, all in real-time. They sought a technology solution that would minimise personnel needs, reduce manual user error, and allow their people to focus fully on event delivery - a tall order in a high-energy festival environment!iTICKET’s solution: AI-Powered innovationiTICKET proposed a cutting-edge solution that combined AI cameras and real-time monitoring, all seamlessly integrated into a dedicated Toast Martinborough Festival app. Toast loved the idea and worked with us to ensure it aligned perfectly with their operating environment and specific needs.By implementing AI cameras along bespoke platform technology, the festival could track and monitor each site capacity via a simplified live dashboard. &nbsp;This gave the organisers the capability to manage crowds dynamically. Festival-goers could access real-time updates on queue statuses and avoid crowded areas through a different user-friendly interface on the Toast app.This solution wasn’t just about technology; it was about creating a smoother, safer experience for both organisers and attendees. Most importantly, it enabled the festival to operate efficiently and safely without adding layers of complexity or increasing staff requirements.Innovation through collaborationAt iTICKET, we value the long-term partnerships we build with event promoters. Not only do these relationships contribute to a healthy, thriving events industry, but they also present invaluable opportunities to innovate and learn through collaboration.&nbsp;Winning the Best Technology Innovation award at the 2024 NZEA Awards recognises our ongoing collaborative efforts, and we’re incredibly proud of our team and partners for helping deliver better, more innovative events. This achievement is not just a win for iTICKET - it’s a win for everyone who believes in the transformative power of innovation in events.We’re proud of what we achieved with Toast Martinborough, and we can’t wait to continue working with our partners to push the boundaries of what’s possible in event technology.Thank you to the NZEA and all our partners for trusting us with your ticketing!Feedback from the NZEA Awards judges:"An excellent example of the customer and client identifying a major block to the best possible event and then identifying and delivering a solution. The benefits from this innovation flowed through to all stakeholders, especially to the customers and the quality of their event experience."“Congratulations on developing tech that resulted in such an improved experience for all the stakeholders as well as customers! ”“I really loved this innovation providing a seamless and frictionless festival entry and egress solution - it was like electronic tolling for festival goers! Not only did it manage the numbers at each venue with real-time information, it also provided customers/ticket holders the ability to view real-time, live updates on the high-volume and low-volume sites for them to self-guide and decide where they wish to go. Just brilliant!”

Innovation & partnership for the win at the 2024 NZEA Awards

iTICKET

iTICKET blends award-winning tech with personalised support to help maximise ticket sales and
deliver exceptional events. From food festivals to stadium spectacles, we bring over two decades of
ticketing expertise for events of all sizes and budgets. Our NZ based team are on hand to provide
expert guidance and ensure your event runs smoothly, leaving your crowd wanting more.