While not the first public event set to be held at the new convention centre, global podcaster and author Mel Robbins’ stop in New Zealand as part of her global speaking tour is the first live public event at NZICC to have tickets go on sale.
Robbins will do two shows at the venue on March 20 and 21 next year and it will be the first time the podcaster has included New Zealand in a world tour.
Her show will be held in the NZICC’s theatre, which at 2,852 seats, is the largest seated theatre in New Zealand.
“TEG Aotearoa is thrilled to be announcing our first live event with NZICC at their brand-new theatre,” said David Benge, TEG’s content partnerships manager for New Zealand.
“Mel Robbins is hugely popular and we’re sure this is going to be a sell-out.
“The central location of the NZICC and larger capacity fills a much-needed gap in the market, and we look forward to delivering a diverse range of talent to the NZICC in 2026 and beyond,” said Benge.
The convention centre has already locked in considerable conference business for 2026 onwards and its general manager, Prue Daly, has been open about wanting to also provide space for events for the general public.
“An ideal week for us looks like when we’ve got…a conference in from a Monday to a Thursday and then on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, we’re activating the space for the general public, whether that be in concerts, exhibitions, food and wine shows,” Daly told micenet in late 2023.
“We want the centre to be not only for internationals, we really want it to be a place that Aucklanders are really proud of and want to come and visit too. So it’ll be a real mixed bag, hopefully.”
On the Mel Robbins events, Daly said it is “an exciting way to begin our journey as Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s newest venue”.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Kiwis to hear from a leading global voice and experience the exceptional hospitality NZICC will have to offer.”
