Auckland will welcome 2,500 pest control experts in 2026 as the Federation of Asia Oceania Pest Management Associations (FAOPMA) – Pest Summit Conference is set to meet in New Zealand for the first time.
Slated to be held at the New Zealand International Convention Centre, the annual conference is the largest pest management event in the Asia-Pacific region. The programme will feature discussions international speakers, technical workshops, and an exhibition, plus opportunities to see pest control activity in the field.
It will bring an estimated economic benefit of NZ$6.5 million (US$4.2 million) to New Zealand, boosting the local hotel, hospitality and retail sectors.
Pest Management Association of New Zealand (PMANZ) executive council member Gerwyn Jones said that New Zealand’s Predator-Free 2050 efforts played an integral role in winning the bid.
“New Zealand is seen as one of the leaders of innovation in the pest control/conservation space. We’re seeing technology developed as part of Predator Free 2050 adopted for urban pest management and for the global market. Hosting FAOPMA is a great way to showcase our country and its technological advancements in pest control to the rest of the world.
“Being recognised on the global stage will be massive for PMANZ and the pest control industry in New Zealand. We will have 300 delegates from around the country coming to the conference, learning, collaborating, and building potential research or business partnerships with international leaders in this field.”
PMANZ was supported by Tourism New Zealand’s Business Events team and Auckland Convention Bureau – a division of Auckland Unlimited, to secure the event for New Zealand.
