Auckland wins World Dairy Summit

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland will host the International Dairy Federation’s (IDF) World Dairy Summit in 2026. The conference is anticipated to attract over 1,000 industry leaders and scientific experts to the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC). The summit is the flagship event for the 120-year-old Federation, which spans 40 member countries, representing over 75% of the world’s milk production. Over 2,000 people attended the event when it was last held in New Zealand in 2010. The New Zealand International Dairy Federation (IDFNZ) led the successful bid with support from Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) and Tourism New Zealand. Convenor Andy Williams says winning the event reflects New Zealand’s standing in the global industry as the source of 40% of the world’s traded dairy products. “We’ll be able to showcase what New Zealand is doing to stay at the forefront of this important global industry and how we’re adapting to emerging challenges. Dairy has an important role to play in the sustainability, safety and security of the global nutrient supply, and it is important that New Zealand is at the table when the sector discusses how we will respond to these important issues,” said Williams. The event, which is expected to deliver more than $2million to the region’s economy and head of ACB Ken Pereira said: “Bringing this conference to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is a great opportunity to showcase the region, both as a centre for agri-tech and as a top business events destination.. “Inviting delegates to explore Auckland outside of the conference setting is a further opportunity to show off the unique blend of world-class conference facilities and breathtaking natural landscapes that make Auckland unique.” The Summit will be followed by technical tours of manufacturing plants, research institutes, farms, and the dairy industry, showcasing New Zealand’s wider agriculture sector. A programme of social tours will also enable visitors to explore Auckland and New Zealand. Tourism New Zealand general manager New Zealand and Business Events, Bjoern Spreitzer, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for experts from around the world to share their knowledge with one of New Zealand’s long-standing industries. We hope that visitors take the time to seek out, explore and enjoy all New Zealand can offer.”