The official opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has ushered in a long-awaited milestone for New Zealand’s business events industry, finally delivering the scale required to compete for larger international congresses and corporate meetings.
Opening celebrations were led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei in a traditional welcome for about 650 invited guests, grounding the occasion in Auckland’s cultural heritage. Performances by the Auckland Youth Choir and chart-topping band Six60 followed, with Six60 also becoming the first act to perform at NZICC’s new Te Paepae Theatre the next day.
Guests were also treated to an immersive culinary showcase, with live theatre-style food stations spotlighting premium New Zealand produce and reinforcing the venue’s focus on regional provenance.
Tourism and hospitality minister, Louise Upston, described the centre as transformational for the sector. “This opening today is a game changer for us as a country,” she said, noting its role in attracting high-spending international delegates and elevating New Zealand’s global standing.
Industry confidence is already evident. NZICC has secured 120 events to date, representing an estimated 33,000 additional international visitors. A preview of an upcoming report showed that multi-day business conferences generated NZ$925 million in economic and productivity benefits in 2025, before the centre had even opened. “So imagine what we’re going to do after that,” said Upston.
More than a decade in development, and following setbacks including a 2019 construction fire and pandemic delays, the opening of NZICC completes a trio of next-generation convention centres across New Zealand’s three largest cities.
