New Zealand International Convention Centre appoints Special PR ahead of 2026 launch

Special PR has been appointed as PR and events agency for the launch of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), following a competitive pitch process.

Situated in the heart of Auckland, the NZICC will elevate New Zealand’s position as a premier destination for large-scale events – including concerts, ceremonies, international summits, and cultural exhibitions.

The state-of-the-art convention center has been under construction since 2015 and is projected to attract 33,000 international delegates each year, injecting more than $90 million into the local economy.

Special PR’s remit includes end-to-end event execution for the opening ceremonial celebrations that will see hundreds of VIPs, industry leaders and dignitaries in attendance: along with an overarching PR and communications strategy to build hype and anticipation ahead of its highly anticipated launch in February 2026.

Says Anna Shipley, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at SkyCity Entertainment Group : “The NZICC is truly unique – a world-class venue that beautifully showcases the best of New Zealand. When it opens, it will be the largest and most versatile event and conference space in the country, putting us confidently on the world stage. The NZICC will be a vibrant hub that brings people together and makes a real difference to the local community, serving as a welcoming gateway to the SkyCity precinct, Auckland’s CBD, and the whole of New Zealand.

“Special PR are uniquely placed to support us on this launch – with a strong understanding of PR, experiential and creative marketing – both domestically and internationally.”

Says Kelly Grindle, Managing Director, Special PR: “The significance of the NZICC can’t be understated – it will be a transformational addition to both Auckland and the wider country, and we are thrilled to be appointed as the entrusted agency.”“The launch of NZICC is a big opportunity for New Zealand to boost the economy, as well as drive growth within our key industries including tourism, hospitality, retail and the hundreds of small businesses that power these major events.”

The NZICC opening Ceremony is scheduled for February 2026, ahead of its first public event. It has been designed for a wide range of events with intimate meeting spaces on all levels, pre-function capacity for 2,700 people, convention capacity for 3,150 and one-off events for 4,000.

The appointment is the latest in a series of new business wins and growth for Special PR who bolstered its events and experience offering earlier this year with the appointment of Liam Taylor as Business Development Director and Jessica McColl as Head of Brand Experience.