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The New Zealand International Convention Centre has reached a major milestone, with SkyCity Entertainment Group officially moving into the new facility ahead of its February 2026 opening.
Commissioning is now underway, focusing on final fit-out, systems testing and staff training.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei led a formal blessing of the building yesterday morning, providing a kawanga whare — a pre-dawn ceremony to lift elements of tapu (sacredness/restriction) and set intentions for the people and place. The ceremony marked the transition from construction to occupation and acknowledged the connection between the building, its teams and the whenua.
Located in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the $750 million NZICC is set to redefine New Zealand’s business events landscape, with capacity to host more than 4,000 delegates across flexible, purpose-built spaces — from large international summits and trade exhibitions to small meetings of 20.
NZICC general manager Prue Daly says the milestone marks years of collaboration, craftmanship and vision.
“We’re so excited to move in, as this milestone represents years of work by so many teams,” Prue says.
“The countdown to February is on and we can’t wait to welcome our first guests. Our team has been working hard to create an amazing calendar of both local and international events, and with more than 100 confirmed already for 2026, there’s more to come. We’re off to a great start.”
Once operational, the NZICC is expected to attract about 33,000 international delegates annually, generating an estimated $90 million in new economic spend each year.
Designed by leading architecture and design practices Warren and Mahoney, Moller Architects and Woods Bagot, the venue’s vertically stacked layout enables seamless delegate movement between exhibition, meeting and performance spaces.
Warren and Mahoney managing director John Coop says the milestone represents a defining moment for the design partnership.
“It’s been a real honour to be part of this journey with our design partners and NZICC from the start,” John says.
“We aimed to create an innovative, functional and city-shaping centre that showcases the best of New Zealand to the world — and the outcome delivers on that ambition.”
The NZICC is a partnership between SkyCity and the New Zealand Government and will be the only convention centre in the country to carry the FernMark.
