Design
10 March 2016

The NZICC turned its first sod signalling the era of an exciting new phase for Business Events in NZ


New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key signalled the start of an exciting new era for business events in Auckland recently, turning the first sod on the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC).

The NZD$471 million international convention centre will be a global hub of innovation and knowledge exchange in the heart of Auckland city. It boasts large flexible functional spaces for a wide range of events including intimate meeting spaces on all levels, a convention capacity for 3,150 and can cater for one-off events for up to 4,000 people.

Presenting at Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) today in Melbourne, Simon Jamieson – General Manager of the New Zealand International Convention Centre says the Centre will see New Zealand becoming even more competitive on a global stage, with Auckland having the ability to bid for high-level, major international business events.

"The benefit the NZICC will deliver for the economy not only in job creation and delegate spend, but in the sharing of knowledge, is going to deliver real returns for New Zealand. One of the NZICC’s points of difference is the collaborative way in which it has been designed, with input from world-class industry experts and some of the Southern Hemisphere’s best architects, delivering a unique and integrated centre that will ‘wow’ our international visitors,"

says Mr Jamieson.

Also presenting at AIME was Vivien Bridgwater, General Manager Destination and Marketing at Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), who says the close alignment the NZICC has with the city’s new global brand strategy is crucial.

"The development of the NZICC helps further position Auckland as a world class business events destination. It will give us the opportunity to attract internationally influential guests to Auckland, helping showcase the wider city offering with the objective of them returning to study, invest or play.

Auckland’s new global brand identity and story will illustrate what makes our region unique, and we welcome the smart and innovative NZICC convention centre that will support the future growth of the business events sector for Auckland,"

says Ms Bridgwater.

The NZICC’s central city location ensures close proximity to Auckland’s innovation ecosystem – universities, business headquarters and innovation hubs – allowing event organisers to tap into New Zealand’s leading knowledge centres and aligning with ATEED’s ambitions to attract more business events, investment and skilled visitors to New Zealand’s largest city.

Auckland provides an all-encompassing event experience for visitors to the NZICC, offering more than 4500 four and five star hotel rooms, several premium dining precincts including Federal Street, Britomart, Wynyard Quarter and City Works Depot, great shopping and entertainment including the SKYCITY precinct with the iconic Sky Tower, all within a few minutes’ walking distance of the new centre.

The NZICC’s glazed facade provides delegates with a connection to the vibrancy of the city, while allowing views of Auckland’s natural beauty across the Waitemata Harbour. An integrated atrium and public retail and hospitality laneway are designed to encourage networking and enhance the delegate experience.

"New Zealanders have a reputation for being innovative and forward-thinking people. We boast a great visitor experience with world-class restaurants, award-winning hotels, excellent entertainment and a unique, beautiful city and country. For an international visitor coming to an event at the NZICC in Auckland they will be right in the centre of the action. After many years of planning the NZICC is now underway and will be ready to welcome visitors to business events from 2019. It’ll be great for Auckland. It’ll be great for New Zealand,"

says Mr Jamieson.