The NZICC is New Zealand’s largest convention centre to date, with approximately 32,500sqm of floor space. Photo Credit: NZICC Auckland
New Zealand will soon welcome Aotearoa’s largest convention centre when the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) opens in February 2026.
Located in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, NZICC joins Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre and Tākina Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wellington to complete the triumvirate of New Zealand's investment in purpose-built infrastructure for business events.
As New Zealand’s largest convention centre, the NZICC will offer 32,500sqm of floor space, configurable for up to 33 meeting spaces at any one time and capable of hosting conferences of around 3,150 people and one-off events of around 4,000 people.
With a total area of 8,100sqm of divisible and multi-purpose exhibition hall, a key feature is its ability to reconfigure the larger space into three separate column-free halls, with additional meeting and breakout spaces all on the same level.
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A theatre on level 5 can also be used in full, with permanent staging for 2,850 people, or easily converted to host two concurrent plenary sessions for 1,200. Retractable seating allows for an entirely different environment, allowing for bigger conferences, large banquets, balls or concerts.
NZICC’s transparent, open design will feature high ceilings, panoramic views and flexible, dynamic spaces, and space for 1,327 car parks, alongside an adjacent laneway with retail and food and beverage options. It is connected to 938 hotel rooms via an airbridge, linking the venue to SkyCity Grand Hotel, Skycity Hotel, and Horizon Hotel.
Lisa Hopkins, chief executive at Business Events Industry Aotearoa, estimates the value of the business events industry globally to be at roughly NZ$2.8 trillion. “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.”
The IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium conference will take place at NZICC in 2028, bringing in at least 2,000 delegates and delivering NZ$4.9 million in economic impact to the region.