The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has announced it is opening its doors to New Zealand and world conferences and events in February 2026.
The long-awaited NZICC is set to transform New Zealand’s conference and events industry, boosting visitation and the wider economy with its world-class facilities. Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, NZICC is more than just a convention centre, it’s a gateway to our culture, innovation, and economic opportunity. Destined to become an iconic part of Auckland’s skyline, NZICC stands alongside landmarks like the Sky Tower to symbolise the city’s ambition and global connectivity.
NZICC general manager, Prue Daly, said it’s an exciting time for Tamaki Makaurau Auckland and Aotearoa New Zealand.
“The NZICC is a transformational project, and we are thrilled to name the month we will open our doors,” Daly said. “New Zealanders and visitors worldwide will be blown away by the innovation and thought that’s gone into every detail of the building, it’s configured for anything from a meeting for 20 people all the way up to an international conference for 3,000 delegates.”
The NZICC has been over a decade in the making, overcoming a major fire in 2019 and other delays that pushed its original completion date out. Through resilience and determination, NZICC is gearing up to make its mark on the global stage.
“Following the contractor’s delivery of the completed building, we expect to commence commissioning and operational readiness activities in the second half of 2025,” Prue Daly added. “It’s a complex undertaking to get ready to open, including scaling up our number of employees and associated training to provide the ultimate customer experience.”
As NZICC prepares to open its doors, it stands as a symbol of progress, world-class innovation, and Auckland’s bright future. NZICC will be a platform to showcase the best of New Zealand to the world. It brings global thought leaders, innovators, and decision-makers onto our shores, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, economic growth, and international collaboration.
NZICC is not only a building New Zealanders can be proud of, but also an experience that reflects the best of Aotearoa. From the stunning large-scale artworks that adorn its exterior to the menu that champions the finest local produce, every detail has been thoughtfully designed to create something truly world-class.
Beyond the striking architecture and cutting-edge facilities, what will truly set NZICC apart is the manaakitanga, the warm, welcoming hospitality that will be felt by every guest who walks through its doors.
With its official opening set for February 2026, NZICC is ready to welcome the world, amplify New Zealand’s stories, and create lasting opportunities for connection, inspiration, and growth.
The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) is located in the heart of Tamaki Makaurau Auckland CBD, making it one of the most connected convention centres in the world. It is estimated to bring 33,000 new international delegates to Auckland, New Zealand per year contributing $90 million of new economic spend per year.
Designed collaboratively alongside event industry experts, the NZICC is a vertically stacked, flexible and modern building, creating a hub of innovation and positive exchange integrated into the fabric of a vibrant city.
The NZICC will offer:
- A venue that is designed around giving delegates fast and effortless transitions between meetings, exhibitions, pre-function, banquet, and performance spaces.
- A glazed facade provides delegates with an inviting and transparent connection to the city’s vibrancy while allowing views of Auckland’s natural beauty, from the Waitakere Ranges to the Waitemata Harbour.
- Close proximity to Auckland’s innovation ecosystem – universities, business headquarters and innovation hubs – allowing event organisers to tap into New Zealand’s leading knowledge centres.
- An integrated atrium and public laneway encourage networking and enhance the delegate experience in a city full of excitement and sophistication. Over 8,000 hotel rooms, dining precincts, shopping, and entertainment are all within 10 minutes’ walking distance.
- Configurable spaces presenting opportunities for a wide range of events with intimate meeting spaces on all levels, pre-function capacity for 2,700 people, convention capacity for 3,150 and one-off events for 4,000.
Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) chief executive, Lisa Hopkins, commented on how the industry is pleased to have a confirmed schedule for the opening after much anticipation.
“It is impossible not to think about the history of this venue,” Lisa Hopkins said. “When first conceived, the expectation for what it would deliver was enormous. The hurdles along the way have been heart-breaking, not just for the industry, but for the NZICC team who have been so dedicated.
“Now, instead of looking behind us, we can, with certainty, look forward, and it is fantastic to have the assurance that this time next year we will be welcoming a new era for Tāmaki Makaurau and New Zealand on the international stage.”
NZICC will be Aotearoa’s largest convention centre located in the heart of Tamaki Makaurau Auckland. Alongside Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre and Takina Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wellington, NZICC completes the triumvirate of New Zealand’s investment in purpose-built infrastructure for business events.
“The business events industry is valued at NZD2.8 trillion globally and the potential for the sector to contribute to New Zealand’s growth goals, jobs, knowledge and business connections, as well as tourism and hospitality is immense,” Hopkins added.
“We are already looking ahead at MEETINGS’ 2026, which will be the 30th anniversary of this landmark event in June 2026, and NZICC is where we will be celebrating this milestone.
“Although it has taken longer than anticipated it will be worth the wait and supports New Zealand and Auckland’s future as a global business events hub.
“With world-class new infrastructure, increased international connectivity, and diverse regional offerings, New Zealand’s position as an aspirational destination for business events – conferences, corporate meetings, tradeshows and incentive travel, has never looked brighter.
“Business events are a long-term game, and it is not uncommon for large international conferences to be booked four to six years in advance.
“Now, with this certainty, the long pipeline of business for New Zealand’s flagship new facility is going to get longer and that signals great news for not just the sector, but the country as a whole.”
