Planning a conference or corporate event comes with plenty of practical questions. How many people can the venue hold? Is there parking? Where should delegates stay? And what happens when you need a smaller meeting space alongside the main event?
Auckland’s New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) opened on 11 February 2026, bringing a purpose-built conference and events venue to the heart of the CBD.
For event planners considering the Auckland Convention Centre, here are the key things to know before you start organising.
In this Blog
- Auckland Convention Centre: The Quick Facts for Event Planners
- When Did the Auckland Convention Centre Open?
- How Many Venue Rooms Does the NZICC Have?
- What Types of Events Can Be Booked at the NZICC?
- Can You Book a Small Meeting Room at the Auckland Convention Centre?
- Where to Stay Near the Auckland Convention Centre
- Is There Dining On Site at the NZICC, and What’s Nearby?
- Parking and Getting to the NZICC
- Planning a Successful Auckland Convention Centre Event
Auckland Convention Centre: The Quick Facts for Event Planners
| Quick fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) |
| Address | 101 Hobson Street, Auckland Central, with entrances on Hobson Street, Wellesley Street West and Nelson Street |
| Opened | 11 February 2026 |
| Owned and operated by | SkyCity Entertainment Group in partnership with the New Zealand government |
| Largest event capacity | Up to 4,500 attendees in Ariki Hall |
| Theatre | Te Paepae Theatre seats up to 2,852 people |
| Meeting spaces | 33 meeting and breakout spaces across four levels |
| Parking | 1,327 undercover spaces, accessed from 46 Nelson Street |
| Public transport | Central Auckland bus and rail connections nearby |
When Did the Auckland Convention Centre Open?
The New Zealand International Convention Centre officially opened on 11 February 2026. NZICC has been designed for business events of different sizes, with large conference and exhibition spaces supported by flexible meeting rooms, event catering and built-in technology.
Since opening, it’s already welcomed everything from large-scale conferences and exhibitions to smaller meetings and intimate gatherings. With a growing calendar of events, it’s quickly becoming a key addition to Auckland’s events scene.
How Many Venue Rooms Does the NZICC Have?
NZICC has 33 meeting and breakout spaces across four levels, along with larger event spaces including Ariki Hall, Te Paepae Theatre, Te Wharau and Te Waha.
One of the key advantages is flexibility. Many spaces can be divided or reconfigured, which is useful when a conference includes a mix of main sessions, breakouts, exhibitions and networking.
Te Paepae Theatre
Te Paepae Theatre accommodates up to 2,852 guests. It can also be divided into two individual theatres, each seating up to 1,235 people.
Retractable seating allows the room to be reconfigured for different event formats beyond a traditional seated presentation.
Ariki Hall
Ariki Hall is the main exhibition and large-event space, with capacity for up to 4,500 guests or 400 exhibition booths.
Movable walls allow it to be divided into different configurations, making it suitable for trade shows, conferences, exhibitions and multi-part events.
The Meeting Rooms, Te Wharau and Te Waha
For smaller or mid-sized sessions, NZICC has a wide range of supporting spaces.
Te Wharau has its own Wellesley Street entrance and accommodates up to 445 guests, while Te Waha can host up to 840 guests.
There are also meeting rooms suited to workshops, training, presentations and breakout sessions.
What Types of Events Can Be Booked at the NZICC?
NZICC is designed to handle a wide variety of events. Its main halls, theatre and meeting rooms can be used individually or together, depending on the programme, giving organisers the flexibility to shape the space around the event.
NZICC also provides an interactive floorplan and venue capacity guides, making it easier to compare seating plans, spaces and layouts during the planning stage.
Conferences and Conventions
For conferences, organisers can combine a main plenary space with breakout rooms, networking areas and smaller sessions.
Built-in AV is available across the meeting spaces, with additional technical support available for more complex production requirements.
For multi-day events, the flexible room layouts also make it easier to adjust the programme from one day to the next.
Exhibitions and Trade Shows
Ariki Hall is the main option for exhibitions and trade shows, with capacity for up to 400 standard exhibition booths.
NZICC also has dedicated loading facilities for exhibitor freight, displays and equipment. Loading access needs to be coordinated with the event planning team in advance.
Gala Dinners, Awards Nights and Product Launches
NZICC also works well for events where the setting is part of the experience, including gala dinners, awards nights, product launches, private functions and celebrations.
Spaces can be configured for seated dining, cocktail-style events, presentations and entertainment, with room to build in staging, AV and areas for guests to mingle.
When choosing a space, it’s worth looking beyond capacity alone and considering how the event will flow from arrival through to dining, presentations and networking.
Can You Book a Small Meeting Room at the Auckland Convention Centre?
Yes. NZICC can accommodate smaller meetings as well as larger conferences and exhibitions.
The best option will depend on your group size and meeting format, so organisers should discuss requirements directly with the NZICC team.
If you need a particularly small board meeting, executive session or private dining space alongside a larger event, there are also options directly across the road.
Small Meeting and Private Dining Options Across the Road
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland has smaller spaces that can work well alongside an NZICC event.
The hotel’s Boardroom accommodates up to 12 guests and includes built-in AV, making it a practical option for executive meetings, presentations or speaker briefings.
For a private meal or more relaxed function, The Glade can host up to 20 seated guests or 50 guests cocktail-style.
These spaces can be useful when the main conference programme is large, but a smaller group still needs somewhere separate to meet.
Where to Stay Near the Auckland Convention Centre
For delegates travelling into Auckland, staying close to the venue can make a busy event schedule much easier.
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland is directly across the road from the Wellesley Street West entrance to the NZICC, giving delegates and organisers a convenient CBD base close to the event venue.
That can simplify the practical side of the trip, particularly for early starts, long conference days or schedules with gaps between sessions.
Rooms for Delegates and Organisers
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland offers a range of room types, including King and Twin Rooms, harbour-view options, suites and accessible rooms.
For business travellers, practical facilities include complimentary Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, a gym and room service.
Twin rooms can be useful for colleagues travelling together, while suites offer additional space for guests who need room to work or unwind around the conference programme.
Dining at the Hotel
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland has two on-site dining options.
Forester Bar & Grill serves breakfast and dinner, while Nine Birds Cafe offers coffee and lighter options for dine-in or takeaway.
For delegates, having breakfast and coffee available at the hotel can make conference mornings a little easier, while dinner on-site gives teams a simple option at the end of the day.
Offers and Group Enquiries
If you’re organising accommodation for a group, contact Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland to discuss your dates, room requirements and group booking options.
It’s also worth checking the hotel’s current special offers which can include direct-booking benefits, member rates and packages with extras such as breakfast.
For events that need more than accommodation, the hotel’s team can also help coordinate smaller meetings, private dining and supporting functions alongside your NZICC programme.
Is There Dining On Site at the NZICC, and What’s Nearby?
Yes. NZICC provides food and beverage services for events, with menus built around seasonal New Zealand produce and tailored to the style of the occasion.
For organisers, catering is best considered early alongside the event schedule, particularly for full-day conferences, multiple function formats or dietary requirements.
Outside the venue, delegates have plenty of options across Auckland CBD for coffee, casual meals and post-event dining. Directly across the road, Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland also offers Forester Bar & Grill for breakfast and dinner, plus Nine Birds Cafe for coffee and lighter bites.
Parking and Getting to the NZICC
NZICC is easy to reach by car, public transport, taxi or rideshare, with convenient options for delegates travelling from across Auckland.
Parking Near the NZICC
The most convenient option is the undercover car park directly beneath NZICC, accessed from 46 Nelson Street. It has 1,327 spaces, direct lift access to the venue, accessible parking and electric vehicle charging. The maximum vehicle height is 2.1 metres, which is important for suppliers or exhibitors arriving in larger vehicles.
If the main car park is busy, it connects directly to the SkyCity car park for additional spaces. Other CBD parking options include Wilson Parking on Hobson Street and Tournament Parking at City Works Depot.
Parking is subject to availability, particularly when several large events are taking place, so organisers expecting a high number of drivers should discuss parking requirements in advance.
Public Transport, Walking and Airport Transfers
The new Te Waihorotiu Station opened on 13 September 2026, with an entrance on Wellesley Street just a short walk from NZICC. As part of Auckland’s City Rail Link, it gives delegates a direct connection to the wider rail network and makes getting to the venue from across the city much easier.
For guests staying at Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland, getting to the venue is even simpler. The hotel is directly across the road from the Wellesley Street West entrance to NZICC, so there’s no need to factor a taxi, shuttle or daily transfer into the conference schedule.
For delegates arriving at Auckland Airport, taxis, rideshare services and public transport provide connections into the CBD, with Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland offering a convenient base once they arrive.
Planning a Successful Auckland Convention Centre Event
The New Zealand International Convention Centre gives organisers plenty of flexibility, from large-scale event spaces to meeting rooms, catering, parking and event technology.
A successful event also comes down to the details around the programme: where delegates stay, how they get to the venue, and where smaller meetings or meals fit into the day.
For delegates and organisers staying nearby, Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland is directly across the road from the Wellesley Street West entrance, with comfortable rooms, on-site dining and smaller meeting spaces close at hand.