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TRENZ will return to Auckland this week for the first time in nearly a decade, with more than 1200 delegates expected to attend New Zealand’s largest international tourism business event.
The event will run from May 19-21 at the newly opened New Zealand International Convention Centre, bringing together tourism operators, international travel buyers, media and industry leaders from around the world.
Delegates from key visitor markets including Australia, China, Japan, Korea, India, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany are expected to attend.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is leading Auckland’s hosting role alongside partners including Auckland Airport.
The event is projected to generate more than $3 million in economic impact for Auckland, while about 16,000 business meetings are scheduled across the three-day programme.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill says hosting TRENZ is an opportunity to showcase how Auckland has changed since the event was last held in the city in 2017.
“It’s fantastic to welcome TRENZ back to Auckland for the first time since 2017 and to showcase a city and region that has evolved significantly over the past decade,” Nick says.
“Auckland in 2026 is a very different place to the one delegates last visited. There’s fresh energy across the city, from transformed waterfront spaces and new accommodation to major infrastructure like the NZICC, which provides a world-class home for events like this.”
Showcasing Auckland
Nick says TRENZ provides an opportunity to position Auckland as more than simply an international gateway.
“We want delegates to take a fresh look at Auckland and get a taste of our urban culture, nature, food and events all underpinned by the manaakitanga that makes this region so special.”
As part of the programme, more than 340 buyers will take part in familiarisation experiences involving 25 local operators across 22 itineraries.
The famils will include experiences in the city centre, Waiheke Island, Matakana and Auckland’s west coast.
International media event also coming to Auckland
Alongside TRENZ, Auckland is also hosting the International Media Marketplace for the first time in New Zealand, connecting tourism operators directly with leading international journalists through a programme of pre-scheduled meetings.
Participating media outlets include BBC Travel, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler and The Age.
International media attending IMM will also take part in Auckland famils, including visits to Waiheke Island, Matakana and the city centre.
TRENZ is managed by Tourism Industry Aotearoa on behalf of the Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust, which owns the event.
