22 January 2026
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The New Zealand International Convention Centre will host its first public open day Saturday 21st February 2026
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The Open Day will showcase the beauty, scale and technology of the NZICC, designed to deliver world-class events in the heart of Auckland
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Speaker sessions, guided and self-guided tours will run throughout the day, giving visitors a first look inside the new venue ahead of a vibrant line up of international and domestic conferences, concerts and exhibitions
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The Public Open Day is free to attend. Registration required via Eventbrite. Ticket numbers are limited
Auckland, New Zealand: SkyCity will, for the first time, welcome visitors to The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) on Saturday, 21 February 2026. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the NZICC’s impressive spaces and experience the scale of a landmark venue set to shape the future of events, business, culture, and tourism in Aotearoa.
The building will be open for general ticketed admission walkthroughs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Step inside the purpose-built NZICC to experience the scale, design and flexibility of New Zealand’s largest and most versatile conference, exhibition and entertainment venue, ahead of a vibrant lineup of international and domestic events kicking off with New Zealand band Six60 in February,
A series of curated speaker sessions will run throughout the day, offering insight into the journey behind the NZICC. Held at ten past each hour, each session will feature a different speaker, including the architects and artists who shaped the NZICC, members of the construction team, and Executive Chef Rob Cullen. The sessions will explore how the venue came together and what it takes to deliver and operate a venue of this scale.
Food and beverage will be available for purchase from the NZICC café and kiosks throughout the day. The engagement stations will offer a first taste of the NZICC food experience, with a curated menu by Executive Chef Rob Cullen using local, seasonal ingredients, including his iconic cheese roll.
“Opening the doors of the NZICC and welcoming guests marks the moment we’ve been working towards” says Prue Daly, General Manager NZICC “The Open Day is a chance to experience the NZICC, shaped by the contribution of many people over time, and now ready to be brought to life through events, food and experiences.”
The Public Open Day is free to attend, with registration required via https://nzicc.co.nz/events/public-open-day/ Speaker sessions and guided tours will have limited capacity and a first-come, first-served basis.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, 21 February 2026
Self-Guided Tour Sessions: 10 - 11am | 11 - 12pm | 12 - 1pm | 1 - 2pm | 2 - 3pm | 3 - 4pm
Location: New Zealand International Convention Centre, 101 Hobson Street, Auckland Central. Entry via Hobson Street Revolving doors.
Entry: Free (registration required)
Register: https://nzicc.co.nz/events/public-open-day/
Speaker Sessions:
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10:10am | Speaker Session: NZICC General Manager, Prue Daly
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11:10am | Speaker Session: NZICC Build Team, Simon Jamieson and Sarah Ballantyne
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12:10pm | Speaker Session: Artists, Peata Larkin and Sara Hughes
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1:10pm | Speaker Session: NZICC Architects, Warren & Mahoney
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2:10pm | Speaker Session: NZICC Technology, Lead Ryan Gollner, Stephen Ward (VEGA) and NZICC Executive Chef, Rob Cullen
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3:10pm | Speaker Session: NZICC Operations Manager, Ian Love
NZICC Sales Team Guided Tours: 10.05 - 11am | 11.05 - 12pm | 12.05 - 1pm | 1.05 - 2pm | 2.05 - 3pm | 3.05 - 4pm
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Georgia Grindle
Georgia.grindle@specialgroup.co.nz
+64 21 164 2038
About NZICC:
The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) is located in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland CBD, making it one of the most connected convention centres in the world.
Designed collaboratively alongside event industry experts, the NZICC is a vertically stacked, flexible and modern building, creating a hub of innovation and positive exchange integrated into the fabric of a vibrant city.
Uniquely positioned to make each event a memorable experience, the NZICC will offer:
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A venue that is designed around giving delegates fast and effortless transitions between meetings, exhibition, pre-function, banquet, and performance spaces.
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A glazed facade provides delegates with an inviting and transparent connection to the vibrancy of the city while allowing views of Auckland’s natural beauty, from the Waitākere Ranges to the Waitematā Harbour.
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In 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.
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An integrated atrium and public laneway encourage networking and enhances the delegate experience within a city full of excitement and sophistication, with over 8000 hotel rooms, dining precincts, shopping and entertainment all within 20 minutes walking distance.
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Configurable spaces presenting opportunities for a wide range of events with meeting spaces on all levels, pre-function capacity for 2,700 people, convention capacity for 3,150 and one-off events for 4,000.
