New Zealand enters a new age for conference business

New Zealand’s meetings sector is gearing up for the return of international business with a growing portfolio of state-of-the-art purpose-built venues coming on stream in the nation’s three largest cities – Auckland and Wellington in North Island, and Christchurch in South Island.

While individually each centre will transform their respective cities’ event spaces, combined they create a national impetus for major international events and enhance the overall appeal of New Zealand, or Aotearoa, to give its Maori name.

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, which opened in 2022, provides a tranquil riverside location on the banks of the River Avon within strolling distance of major hotels and other sites. Christchurch is widely considered the most ‘English’ of New Zealand’s major cities and the influence of more than a century of British-inspired architecture and design echoes across the city. Te Pae’s name is inspired by several Maori-language phrases but the most relevant is Te Pae Tangata – “a place to meet and converse”. Te Pae also incorporates a stylish rendition of the local braided riverbeds, which feature prominently in the centre’s design.

Te Pae general manager Ross Steele said, “The centre is perfectly located in the heart of New Zealand’s second largest city – just 20 minutes from Christchurch International Airport with direct flights from Singapore – close to more than 2,500 hotel rooms, and some of Christchurch’s best restaurants, bars, shopping, galleries and attractions.

“We have a solid event calendar again for this year, including the Asian Seed Congress from 20-24 November 2023, and in future years, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress in 2024; the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium (ICCWS) and the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG) Conference, both in 2026 to name a few.”

Takina, Wellington

Wellington’s Tākina centre is scheduled to open at the end of May in the New Zealand capital. The two-tier venue, its Maori name meaning ‘to invoke, to summon, to connect’, will allow the city to host conferences of between 400 and 1,600 delegates, with organisers having the additional option to use one or both floors exclusively. Irette Ferreira, Business Events Wellington manager, said, "Tākina offers clients a brand-new, world-class conference and event venue right in the heart of Wellington. Its central location means delegates can take a short stroll through the city’s quirky laneways or via its picturesque waterfront to one of 4,000 hotels rooms or unique social function venues. With more than 800 eateries featuring cuisines from around the world, Wellington is a foodie heaven – one of my personal favourites is Dragonfly, a pan-Asian restaurant located just 300m from the convention centre.”

The centre also offers planners additional unique meeting and function spaces in the adjacent Te Papa museum and gallery, which is also overseen by joint operator Takina Events.

Ferreira also points out that: “Conferencing at Tākina, means delegates have excellent access to the rest of New Zealand with more than 1,400 domestic flights to and from the city per week, so seeing the rest of New Zealand after the conference is only a one-hour flight away."

Forthcoming events this year include the Australasia Organic Geochemistry Conference and the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF).

New Zealand International Convention Centre, Auckland

Auckland, also known by its Maori name Tāmaki Makaurau, is New Zealand's largest city and business hub. When the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) opens in 2025 in the SkyCity complex in the heart of Auckland’s Central Business District, it will be the country’s largest purpose-built venue, able to accommodate one-off cocktail events of up to 4,000 people and theatre-style setup of around 3,000. The NZICC’s location puts it in walking distance of around 6,000- hotel rooms.

The building's design is the result of wide collaboration, relying on industry feedback as well as construction experts, and with ambitious glass and tiled artworks on the façade.

Alana Bicknell, sales manager – international, New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), said, "The NZICC has been designed by world-class architects, event industry experts and our future clients. This collaborative process saw us run extensive experience design workshops with over 70 people who will be our end users including delegates, PCOs, event bookers and industry service suppliers.

"We look forward to providing our clients and their guests with authentic New Zealand experiences, whether that be through our food, technology, sustainable practices or connection to our Tāmaki Makaurau community.”

Powerful optimism pervades the New Zealand meetings sector and, with the entrance of these brand-new centres, Asia Pacific conference organisers have three vibrant destinations ready to welcome them.