SkyCity’s NZICC secures NZ’s largest tourism trade show

9th May 2025 By Natasha Jojoa Burling | natasha@propertyticker.co.nz | @propertyticker

Tourism Industry Aotearoa’s TRENZ event will return to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland next year.

The country’s largest tourism trade show will be held from 19-21 May 2026 at SkyCity Entertainment Group’s New Zealand International Convention Centre on Hobson Street.

It will be one of the first major events at the new venue, which opens in February.

TRENZ was last held in Auckland in 2017 when Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development hosted it at The Cloud and Shed 10 on Queens Wharf.

“TRENZ will provide a well-timed opportunity to showcase the many exciting developments across the region, including the exceptional NZICC,” said Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Rebecca Ingram.

“Plans are already underway to ensure the captive travel trade audience experience the many new and diverse experiences happening right across the region.”

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited director of destination Annie Dundas said the agency was keen to showcase New Zealand’s “largest and most diverse” destination.

“TRENZ 2026 delegates will experience a genuinely revitalised Tamaki Makaurau Auckland,” she said.

“Our accommodation offering is vast and varied, new and exciting experiences showcase Auckland’s quest for innovation and commitment to driving sustainability. 

“This includes the highly anticipated City Rail Link connecting the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods, and the beautiful NZICC, the country’s largest purpose-built convention centre.”  

TRENZ 2025 wraps up at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre today, with around 1200 delegates having 16,000 business meetings over three days.

Ingram said Rotorua “rolled out the red-carpet for the tourism industry, exceeding its reputation as the birthplace of international tourism”.

Next year will be the third in a row for the North Island to host TRENZ, with Tākina Wellington holding it last year. Christchurch held the event in 2023, as well as a pandemic-curtailed conference in 2021, with TRENZ Hui going online in the intervening year. It was not held in 2020 due to Covid and Dunedin hosted TRENZ in 2019.