NZICC awarded Qualmark Gold

Auckland, New Zealand: The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has been awarded Qualmark Gold under Qualmark’s Sustainable Tourism Business criteria, following an independent assessment ahead of its official opening on 11 February.

Qualmark is New Zealand’s official quality assurance mark for tourism businesses, recognising excellence across sustainability, safety and visitor experience. The NZICC assessment resulted in a Qualmark Gold rating under the programme, highlighting the venue’s readiness to host world-class events from day one.

“NZICC’s achievement of a Qualmark Gold Award highlights its strong commitment to delivering a high‑quality, sustainable visitor experience. This accreditation reflects industry‑leading practices across sustainability, safety, and manaakitanga, and demonstrates NZICC’s readiness to open as a benchmark for excellence in Aotearoa’s business events sector.” General Manager Qualmark, Steven Dixon.

Sustainability has been built into every aspect of the NZICC’s development, shaping how the venue will operate and how organisers, delegates and visitors will experience it.

“Qualmark Gold reflects the depth of work that’s gone into preparing the NZICC to operate,” says Tracey Ha, Director of CX & Marketing. “From food and beverage through to lighting, technology and building systems, decisions have been made with a clear understanding of environmental impact and how it can be reduced or offset.”

Prue Daly, General Manager at NZICC, added: “This recognition is a credit to the many people who have contributed their expertise and commitment to shaping the venue. As we prepare to welcome our first events, it reinforces the high standards we’ve set from the outset - for experience, sustainability and the legacy we aim to create for Auckland and New Zealand’s events industry. It’s a moment of pure pride.”

Opening mid-February, the NZICC has already secured a diverse programme of major international and national events, including the International Coral Reef Symposium, Kidney Kids Gala 2026, Six60, Bic Runga and The Pogues.

For media enquiries, please contact: 
Georgia Grindle
Georgia.grindle@specialgroup.co.nz
+64 21 164 2038

Notes to editor:
Media assets available for download here.

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:

• A venue that is designed around giving delegates fast and effortless transitions between meetings, exhibition, pre-function, banquet, and performance spaces.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.