SkyCity Entertainment Group has formally taken possession of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland, a long-awaited venue expected to boost the country’s tourism and events sector.
The handover from Fletcher Construction marks a ‘major milestone,’ SkyCity chief executive Jason Walbridge said Tuesday, adding the company was ‘delighted to finally have the keys’ to the facility, which is set to open in February 2026.
Located between Hobson and Nelson streets in Auckland’s central business district, the NZICC will be the country’s largest conference and events venue when it opens. It will have capacity for up to 4,000 people, including a 2,850-seat theatre – the biggest in New Zealand – and banquet facilities for 3,300 guests.
Walbridge said the centre would act as a ‘powerful catalyst for growth’ for Auckland and the wider economy, creating more than 300 jobs and generating benefits for tourism, hospitality, retail and local suppliers.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston welcomed the handover, saying the venue would help attract international conferences and concerts. ‘This world-class venue will help bring more visitors and events to New Zealand, boosting tourism and our economy’, she said in the statement.
More than 100 events have already been confirmed for 2026, including major conferences for the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.
The NZICC will be the only convention centre in the country to carry the New Zealand FernMark, a government-recognised symbol of national branding.
