Two of the events set to be hosted at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) are large-scale Australasian medical conferences for 2026 while the third is a transport systems conference for 2027.
In 2026, both the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) will hold their annual scientific meetings at the NZICC, following its opening next February.
ANZCA is expected to draw 1,500 delegates to the venue for a six-day gathering in May, pushing more than $3 million into the local economy.
Then in November, 1,800 delegates are anticipated to attend RNZCO’s congress. A further $2 million will be generated by that event for Auckland’s economy.
“It has been over a decade since RANZCO’s congress was last hosted in New Zealand and we’re excited to experience all the vibrancy Auckland has to offer,” said the college’s CEO, Mark Carmichael.
NZICC led both of these bids, with support from Auckland Convention Bureau.
“We appreciate the support from our industry partners to help bring these events to New Zealand, and also the government for their recent announcement regarding changes to the law around the advertising of medicines that have previously been a barrier to international medical conferences coming here,” said the venue’s director of sales and planning, Alana Bicknell.
“We can’t wait to extend our manaakitanga to the delegates of both conferences. We’re confident the NZICC will absolutely wow them.”
In the meantime, the city’s convention bureau has also been supporting a bid led by Intelligent Transport Systems New Zealand (ITSNZ) to host the 21st Asia-Pacific Intelligent Transport Systems Forum (AP ITS) in 2027 at NZICC.
That bid has also been successful, with around 1,000 delegates and a $1.27 million economic impact expected.
“We are very pleased to secure the hosting rights for this important international forum in 2027,” said ITSNZ chair and president, Armin Guttke.
“The forum will showcase how the right policy and technology can address New Zealand’s transport challenges – making the system safer, more equitable, sustainable and productive.
“The forum will also create opportunities for local innovators, attract international investment and deliver significant economic benefits.”
Technical tours and demos during the event will showcase New Zealand’s intelligent transport system innovations.
These will include the University of Auckland Transportation Research Centre, which is a frontrunner in dynamic wireless inductive charging – charging vehicles during travel via charging infrastructure embedded into roads – as well as ERoad, which created New Zealand’s digital road users charge system.
“This win supports our vision of Auckland as a global innovation hub,” said Auckland Convention Bureau head, Ken Pereira.
“It shows we are open to international expertise and investment to grow our transport future, while also showcasing our homegrown technology and talent.”
Alongside the bureau, the bid also received support from Tourism New Zealand, as well as endorsement from New Zealand’s prime minister, Auckland’s mayor and the chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency.
The event will take place in early May 2027.
