The opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has been delayed again with the central Auckland venue now slated to open next February.
The project has been under construction for about a decade, with early works beginning in 2015 and a fire crippling progress in 2019.
But SkyCity said today that delays by contractors meant the company didn’t expect to commence “commissioning and operational readiness activities” until the second half of 2025, following the delivery of the completed venue.
The company’s chief executive Jason Walbridge said the delay offered “certainty”.
Previously it was promoted that the convention centre would open this year.
“The date is later than we’d hoped but offers contingency, as well as certainty for our customers,” he said in an announcement to the NZX.
“We are thrilled to name February 2026 as the date we can open the NZICC’s doors to the New Zealand public and the world. The NZICC is a world-class facility that will transform the visitor and events economy in Aotearoa.”
SkyCity will now “formalise contracting for conferences being held from that date.”
In a media release of its own, Fletcher Building confirmed “as previously advised” that it expects to hand over the NZICC to SkyCity by June 30 this year.
Intended to open in 2020, the project was delayed after a devastating fire hit the construction site the year before the opening date.
The NZICC project, located on Hobson and Nelson St in the city centre, spans 32,500 square metres over four floors.
