The New Zealand Convention Centre opens

At first gentle on 11 February 2026, SkyCity held its ceremonial opening of the NZICC, led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, who bestowed a proper acknowledgement of the deep connection between individuals and place. Beginning with an official ribbon slicing, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, formally opening New Zealand’s largest conference centre.

The next night, 12 February 2026, the NZICC welcomed its first visitors for a celebration occasion attended by 650 leaders, dignitaries, and companions. This occasion marked NZICC’s first main activation and showcased the size and environment of the brand new venue by means of gentle, artwork, and efficiency.

Helios, a six-metre solar sculpture by British artist Luke Jerram offered at an approximate scale of 1:230 million, illuminated Ariki Corridor. It was showcased alongside Iwi Rau (Many Leaves, One Cover) a stained-glass set up by artist Sara Hughes impressed by Tāne Mahuta and the forests of Aotearoa. Te Paepae Theatre hosted its first performances with an array of leisure together with kapa haka group Te Whare Karioi, the Auckland Youth Choir and a shock efficiency by none aside from Six60.

Jason Walbridge, CEO of SkyCity, mentioned: “Seeing the NZICC open its doorways and welcome its first visitors was a defining second for Auckland and New Zealand. The NZICC is greater than a venue, it’s a catalyst for progress. Each occasion will generate exercise that reaches far past its partitions, supporting native companies, strengthening regional economies, and creating lasting worth for New Zealand.”

Renè de Monchy, CEO of Tourism New Zealand, added “The NZICC performs an necessary position in positioning New Zealand as a world-class convention and exhibition vacation spot. It offers us the potential to welcome the world in a complete new method and performs an necessary position in accelerating worldwide customer arrivals for the Auckland area, and past. The NZICC is predicted to draw 33,000 worldwide guests yearly, and people guests are essential for sharing data, constructing international connections, supporting companies and driving vibrancy and progress.”

Designed by Warren and Mahoney, Moller Architects, and Woods Bagot, the $750 million, purpose-built centre has been designed with accessibility, flexibility, and inclusivity. With 33 assembly areas, a 2,850-seat theatre, and the capability to host greater than 4,000 delegates, NZICC is supplied to ship all the things from worldwide summits and commerce exhibitions to concert events and cultural occasions.

The venue permits for environment friendly motion between conferences, exhibitions, banquets and efficiency areas. A glass façade gives pure gentle and views of the town, together with the Waitākere Ranges and Waitematā Harbour.

It’s positioned close to universities, enterprise headquarters and innovation hubs. The encircling space contains accommodations, eating, retail and leisure choices inside strolling distance.

The power contains versatile occasion areas throughout a number of ranges, with capability for two,700 in pre-function areas, 3,150 for conventions and as much as 4,000 for single occasions. The NZICC is predicted to generate greater than $90 million in new financial exercise every 12 months.

Warren and Mahoney’s Managing Director, John Coop, added: “The constructing’s design is the product of collaboration and ambition from fellow architects, specifiers, builders, engineers, and artists — at a scale by no means earlier than seen in Tāmaki Makaurau. We’re proud to have led the design of a mission that demonstrates the facility of social infrastructure to remodel cities, and create significant experiences for these inside them.”