New Zealand shows off MICE credentials for 2026 Pest Summit Conference 

Auckland is set to host 2,500 pest control experts in 2026 as the Federation of Asia Oceania Pest Management Associations (FAOPMA), Pest Summit Conference comes to New Zealand for the first time. The annual conference is the largest pest management event within the Asian, Pacific, and Indian region. The summit will bring pest control specialists, academics, and industry supplies from around the world to the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) for a programme of international speakers, technical workshops, and an exhibition, plus opportunities to see pest control activity in the field. Gerwyn Jones, executive council member for the Pest Management Association of New Zealand (PMANZ), commented: “New Zealand is seen as one of the leaders of innovation in the pest control/conservation space. We’re seeing technology developed as part of Predator Free 2050 adopted for urban pest management and for the global market. Hosting FAOPMA is a great way to showcase our country and its technological advancements in pest control to the rest of the world.” PMANZ was supported by Tourism New Zealand’s Business Events team and Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), a division of Auckland Unlimited, to secure the event for New Zealand. Bjoern Spreitzer, general manager of Tourism New Zealand’s Business Events, stated: “Hosting this conference will showcase New Zealand’s world-leading innovation. It will open doors for future investment and research that can help make New Zealand predator-free and protect our ecosystems for future generations.” The conference will also bring an estimated economic benefit of NZ$6.5m (US$4.2m) to New Zealand, boosting the local hotel, hospitality and retail sectors. Ken Pereira, manager of Auckland Convention Bureau, said: “The annual FAOPMA-Pest Summit Conference is the largest pest management event within the Asian/Pacific/Indian region. Tāmaki Makaurau being awarded the event is a great honour and allows the local association to showcase our city’s natural environment, our forests, our oceans, and how our unique culture cares for each of these ecosystems to a global audience.”