Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Tourism Minister Louise Upston attended a ribbon-cutting in February with a ceremonial opening led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, marking the official opening of New Zealand’s largest conference, exhibition and entertainment venue.

Located in the heart of Auckland, the purpose-built centre is designed to support large-scale conventions and events, with capacity for more than 4,000 attendees.

Woods Bagot’s scope included the design of the Front of House interiors, bringing specialist convention centre technical expertise with a focus on accessibility, flexibility, and inclusivity.  Warren and Mahoney were lead architects, responsible for building envelope, core, and associated areas. 

The centre’s flexible design incorporates modular meeting rooms, a dedicated multi-use plenary theatre, and expansive exhibition spaces that can be subdivided or combined, making NZICC among the most flexible and adaptable centres in the world. The adaptable, demountable structure supports long-term resilience, avoiding embodied carbon associated with future refurbishment.

Associate Principal and Project Leader Eric Buhrs says the interior design is not only highly functional, but deeply contextual to place, embedding the stories of whenua (land) and whakapapa (ancestry) in the built form.

“Rooted in the idea of One Language, Many Voices, our design for the NZICC translates the textures, stories, and spirit of Aotearoa into a contemporary civic landmark,” says Buhrs. “By drawing on the dynamic forms of the New Zealand landscape and the depth of Māori cultural narrative, the centre speaks with an unmistakably local voice while welcoming the world.”

The arrival experience incorporates blackened steel and silver beech hardwood, contrasting light and dark to echo the dramatic natural beauty of the New Zealand landscape. A clear circulation spine provides highly efficient flow with functional spaces vertically stacked, providing legibility, daylight, and orientation. The result is a complex yet cohesive civic building that strengthens its urban context and supports local culture, while providing a venue to host visitors from around the globe.

Woods Bagot Principal Andy Gentry adds the NZICC opening has been a long-anticipated occasion, marking a significant event for design collaborators.

“It’s a building that’s been on the Auckland city skyline for so long that it’s already part of the urban landscape. But, until now, no-one has been able to step over the threshold,” says Gentry. “The interiors are a real surprise package, and I’m excited to see how they are received, both locally and internationally.”

The NZICC is expected to attract around 33,000 international delegates annually, contributing to around $90 million in economic spend each year. General Manager of the NZICC Prue Daly reaffirms the significance of the recent opening, with 120 events already confirmed for 2026.

“It represents years of collaboration, creativity, and careful planning from everyone involved,” says Daley. “We’re proud to welcome the world through these doors and look forward to the incredible events and experiences ahead.”

Media enquiries
Isla Sutherland
Content and Communications Manager (Australia & New Zealand)