Aotearoa ascends: World-class venues fuel convention growth

New Zealand’s three new world-class convention centres are winning business and winning over delegates keen to explore beyond the conference. Tourism New Zealand global manager business events Penelope Ryan says New Zealand’s three new convention centres have been a great conversation starter with international conference organisers.

“When you add this 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) cements a new chapter for New Zealand, putting it firmly in the bracket of premier destinations for conferences of 500-4000 pax. The newest and largest of the country’s three new convention centres will boast 32,500 sqm of multi-purpose space.

Located in the heart of central Auckland’s SkyCity precinct it will link directly to 938 SkyCity hotel rooms via airbridges, with a vast choice of additional hotel rooms, dining options, shopping and entertainment within walking distance. NZICC general manager Prue Daly says the venue will be a game changer for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s business events sector, adding capacity to the existing mix of versatile venue options and growing roster of big brand hotels in New Zealand’s largest city.

“The NZICC is aiming to hold 500 events a year, 80% of which would be business-focused, with the rest including concerts, exhibitions and community gatherings,” she notes.

The NZICC already has nine confirmed major conferences announced publicly, which will attract some 15,500 people to Auckland. These include a number of large-scale events in 2026, including the International Coral Reef Symposium (2500 pax), the International Confederation of Principals Convention (1600 pax), the Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Managers Associations Conference, (2200 people) and the International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit (1500 pax).

More conferences are expected to be formally announced soon; Daly says NZICC currently has 20 international events confirmed and more than 200 proposals pending in the pipeline until 2033

Wellington drives higher than expected attendance

Further down the North Island, capital city Wellington is looking forward to a strong year with 22 international conferences booked in 2025. The influx follows a flurry of bidding activity post-pandemic that is finally reaching fruition, says Business Events Wellington manager Irette Ferreira.

“Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre is nearly two years old and going from strength to strength. We’ve been focusing on conferences that align strongly with Wellington’s areas of expertise and the world-leading research being done in our universities and research institutes.”

Kicking off the year, Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre hosted the 8th World Conference for the International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance, which attracted more than 500 delegates from 85 countries to the city.

Local arrangements chair, Brian Diettrich, associate professor in Ethnomusicology at the New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University of Wellington says the appeal of Wellington and New Zealand drove higher than expected turnout: “We had more than 1,000 people put in proposals for the conference programme. We were successful in getting a lot of performers to come, far more than any recent ICTM conference. Everyone was very happy. The venue was beautiful, everyone loved being able to walk around the city, and people were raving about the food.

“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.

“What we did programme-wise with the indigenous focus, and with all the amazing performing groups that came, it really re-energized the conference in interesting ways.”

Notable upcoming conferences at Tākina Wellington Convention Centre include the International Conference on Urban Health 2025, the International Council for Open and Distance Education’s 30th World Conference, and the International Conference on Digital Preservation.

Exceeding expectations in Christchurch

Meanwhile in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is exceeding expectations. New analysis shows the venue attracted an estimated 80,200 guests attending 217 events in the year to November 2024. Visitor spending alone contributed an estimated $37.8 million to the surrounding Canterbury region’s GDP, with international guests from Australia, North America and Asia making a significant impact.

Te Pae Christchurch general manager Ross Steele says: “Our whole team are exceptionally proud of what we have achieved, building on what has been an incredible three years since opening in May 2022.”

Te Pae Christchurch represents a unique drawcard for the Canterbury region, with over half of delegates surveyed having not previously visited New Zealand and 95% planning to return to the region for a holiday in the next five years. Steele notes that, thanks to the wider appeal of New Zealand, 18% of international delegates were accompanied by a partner, friend or family member who didn’t attend the event.

Respondents said Christchurch is a great place for business events, with friendly locals, a highly walkable inner city, and an attractive natural environment. “It’s pleasing to see most delegates surveyed were very satisfied with their experience at Te Pae Christchurch, and almost all (99%) said they would recommend Christchurch to friends, family and colleagues as a place to visit.”

Steele says a strong pipeline of events includes UN event the 8th International Adaptation Futures Conference this October, the 34th Congress of the International Seed Testing Association, the International Society of Arboriculture, and the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium.

“We are very focused on building on Ōtautahi Christchurch’s reputation as a dynamic, welcoming city with world-class facilities.

“But we also want to do so in a way that is both meaningful and sustainable, ensuring not only that every visitor goes away having experienced something unique, but that our amazing community can enjoy a lasting positive legacy from the work we do.”

Find out more about strategic funding and support to bring your conference to New Zealand www.businessevents.newzealand.com