Aotearoa’s three new world-class convention centres are winning business and drawing delegates keen to explore beyond the conference room.
Brought to you by Tourism New Zealand Business Events
Tourism New Zealand global manager business events Penelope Ryan said: “When you add this conference infrastructure to New Zealand’s innovation and experiential content possibilities, the opportunities for unique perspectives from its Māori culture, the growing schedule of direct flights, and, of course, the country’s bucket-list destination appeal, it really makes New Zealand an attractive proposition.”
A positive pipeline for Auckland
When it opens in February 2026, the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) will cement a new chapter for New Zealand, putting it firmly in the bracket of premier destinations for conferences of 500 to 4,000 persons.
The largest of the country’s three new convention centres will boast 32,500m² of multi-purpose events space in the heart of central Auckland, with a vast choice of hotel rooms, dining options, shopping, and entertainment within walking distance.
NZICC general manager Prue Daly said the venue is already proving popular with conference decisionmakers, adding: “The NZICC currently has 20 international events confirmed and more than 200 proposals pending in the pipeline until 2033.”
Nine publicly announced conferences to date include the International Coral Reef Symposium (2,500 people), the International Confederation of Principals Convention (1,600 people), and the International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit (1,500 people) in 2026.
Wellington drives higher than expected attendance
Capital city Wellington has 22 international conferences booked for 2025. Business Events Wellington manager Irette Ferreira said: “Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre is nearly two years old and going from strength to strength.”
Earlier this year, the venue hosted the 8th World Conference for the International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance, which attracted more than 500 delegates from 85 countries.
Local Arrangements Chair, Brian Diettrich, associate professor in Ethnomusicology at the New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University of Wellington, said the appeal of Wellington and New Zealand drove higher than expected turnout: “Coming here was much further away for most people. So, it seemingly would be more challenging, but it actually worked very, very easily. Everyone was very excited to be in Wellington; the venue was beautiful, everyone loved being able to walk around the city, and people were raving about the food.
“What we did programme-wise with the indigenous focus, and with all the amazing performing groups that came, it really re-energised the conference in interesting ways.”
Notable upcoming conferences at Tākina Wellington Convention Centre include the International Conference on Urban Health 2025, and the International Conference on Digital Preservation.
Exceeding expectations in Christchurch
Meanwhile in Ōtautahi, Christchurch, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre has exceeded expectations since opening in May 2022. It attracted an estimated 80,200 guests attending 217 events over the year to November 2024. Over half of the delegates surveyed had not previously visited New Zealand and 95 per cent planned to return to the region for a holiday in the next five years. Respondents commented on Christchurch’s friendly locals, highly walkable inner city, and attractive natural environment.
Te Pae Christchurch general manager Ross Steele said: “It’s pleasing almost all (99 per cent) said they would recommend Christchurch to friends, family and colleagues as a place to visit.”
A strong calendar of events for Te Pae Christchurch includes the 8th international Adaptation Futures Conference this October, the International Society of Arboriculture and the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium.
Find out more about strategic funding and support to bring your conference to New Zealand. Visit Tourism New Zealand Business Events now.
