NZICC Lands Two Large Medical Conferences – 3300 Delegates To Attend
It's the first time in more than a decade that both the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) will hold conferences in New Zealand.
ANZCA is expected to attract 1500 delegates from around the world and inject more than $3 million into the local economy.
"As a trans-Tasman organisation, we are excited to announce that the 2026 ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) will take place in Auckland. We are one of the largest specialist medical colleges in Australasia, and we are thrilled to have secured the state-of-the-art venue of the NZICC," said Professor Dave Story, President of ANZCA.
The conference, which will be held across six days, including pre-meeting workshops, in May 2026, will feature a distinguished lineup of international keynote speakers on anaesthesia and pain medicine and will deliver up to 150 workshops to attendees.
Later in the year, RANZCO's Annual Scientific Congress will take place.
It's expected to attract 1800 delegates in November and contribute more than $2 million in economic activity.
'RANZCO is delighted to be welcomed to Auckland for our 57th Congress. It has been over a decade since RANZCO's Congress was last hosted in New Zealand and we're excited to experience all the vibrancy Auckland has to offer," said CEO Mark Carmichael.
NZICC Director of Sales and Planning, Alana Bicknell, says securing two such prestigious conferences in what will be NZICC's first year of opening is a major boost.
'We can't wait to extend our manaakitanga to the delegates of both conferences. We're confident the NZICC will absolutely wow them.'
The bids securing these events were led by the NZICC with the support of the Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and Tourism New Zealand Business Events.
'We appreciate the support from our industry partners to help bring these events to New Zealand, and also the government for their recent announcement regarding changes to the law around the advertising of medicines that have previously been a barrier to international medical conferences coming here,' said Alana Bicknell.
Notes:
The NZICC is designed to host events with over 4,000 attendees, offering flexible spaces that can be tailored to meet diverse event needs. Conveniently located in the heart of Auckland's CBD, it provides seamless connectivity to the city's vibrant communities, efficient transport links, and effortless access to more than 8,000 hotel rooms within a 20-minute walk, which ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for guests.
About ANZCA ASM 2026
ANZCA ASM is an annual meeting organised by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM). It serves as a key forum for anaesthetists, pain medicine specialists, researchers, and healthcare professionals worldwide to engage in knowledge exchange, discuss advancements, and address critical issues in anaesthesia and pain medicine. ANZCA ASM 2026's theme is '@Herenga waka, herenga tāngata: From home to home', which they worked with a designer, Chloē Reweti (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Porou), and cultural advisor, Tui Blair (Ngāti Whātua).
Event Dates: 30 April – 5 May 2026
About RANZCO Congress
RANZCO Congress is an annual scientific meeting, bringing together ophthalmologists from Australia, New Zealand, and overseas. The event fosters collaboration and learning in the latest techniques, research, and advancements in eye care.
Event Dates: 5 – 9 November 2026
About NZICC:
The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) is located in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland CBD, making it one of the most connected convention centres in the world.
Designed collaboratively alongside event industry experts, the NZICC is a vertically stacked, flexible and modern building, creating a hub of innovation and positive exchange integrated into the fabric of a vibrant city.
Uniquely positioned to make each event a memorable experience, the NZICC will offer:
A venue that is designed around giving delegates fast and effortless transitions between meetings, exhibition, pre-function, banquet, and performance spaces.
A glazed facade provides delegates with an inviting and transparent connection to the vibrancy of the city while allowing views of Auckland's natural beauty, from the Waitākere Ranges to the Waitematā Harbour.
Close proximity to Auckland's innovation ecosystem – universities, business headquarters and innovation hubs – allowing event organisers to tap into New Zealand's leading knowledge centres.
An integrated atrium and public laneway encourage networking and enhances the delegate experience within a city full of excitement and sophistication, with over 8000 hotel rooms, dining precincts, shopping and entertainment all within 10 minutes walking distance.
Configurable spaces presenting opportunities 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
1News
8 hours ago
- 1News
Delay-plagued convention centre to host medical conferences in 2026
The New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland will host two major medical conferences next year — after finally opening following a near six-year delay. A spokesperson for the convention centre, which was initially scheduled to open in 2020 but was delayed following a devastating fire, said both the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists would hold their conferences at the centre. The events would be held from April 30 to May 5 and November 5 and November 9, respectively. The convention centre would officially open in February next year. According to NZ Herald, nine other events had already been booked at the centre. It was expected both newly announced events would include a combined total of 3300 delegates, "generating millions of dollars in economic activity", according to a spokesperson for the centre. ADVERTISEMENT NZICC director of sales and planning, Alana Bicknell, said it was a "major boost" to secure two major conferences during the convention centre's first year of opening. 'We can't wait to extend our manaakitanga to the delegates of both conferences. We're confident the NZICC will absolutely wow them.' 'We appreciate the support from our industry partners to help bring these events to New Zealand, and also the government for their recent announcement regarding changes to the law around the advertising of medicines that have previously been a barrier to international medical conferences coming here,' Bicknell said. SkyCity, which owned the convention centre, filed legal proceedings against Fletcher Building and The Fletcher Construction Company, seeking compensation of $330 million for "ongoing delays" to the project. SkyCity said the project was nearly six and a half years behind the contractually agreed delivery date of January 2019. SkyCity claimed it was entitled to $330 million in liquidated damages from Fletchers under the contract. Fletcher Building said it would "vigorously" defend the legal action and had already paid "significant" liquidated damages to SkyCity over the delays.
Scoop
13 hours ago
- Scoop
NZICC Lands Two Large Medical Conferences – 3300 Delegates To Attend
Two of Australasia's largest association conferences are confirmed for 2026 at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), with a combined total of 3300 delegates expected to attend generating millions of dollars in economic activity. It's the first time in more than a decade that both the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) will hold conferences in New Zealand. ANZCA is expected to attract 1500 delegates from around the world and inject more than $3 million into the local economy. "As a trans-Tasman organisation, we are excited to announce that the 2026 ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) will take place in Auckland. We are one of the largest specialist medical colleges in Australasia, and we are thrilled to have secured the state-of-the-art venue of the NZICC," said Professor Dave Story, President of ANZCA. The conference, which will be held across six days, including pre-meeting workshops, in May 2026, will feature a distinguished lineup of international keynote speakers on anaesthesia and pain medicine and will deliver up to 150 workshops to attendees. Later in the year, RANZCO's Annual Scientific Congress will take place. It's expected to attract 1800 delegates in November and contribute more than $2 million in economic activity. 'RANZCO is delighted to be welcomed to Auckland for our 57th Congress. It has been over a decade since RANZCO's Congress was last hosted in New Zealand and we're excited to experience all the vibrancy Auckland has to offer," said CEO Mark Carmichael. NZICC Director of Sales and Planning, Alana Bicknell, says securing two such prestigious conferences in what will be NZICC's first year of opening is a major boost. 'We can't wait to extend our manaakitanga to the delegates of both conferences. We're confident the NZICC will absolutely wow them.' The bids securing these events were led by the NZICC with the support of the Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and Tourism New Zealand Business Events. 'We appreciate the support from our industry partners to help bring these events to New Zealand, and also the government for their recent announcement regarding changes to the law around the advertising of medicines that have previously been a barrier to international medical conferences coming here,' said Alana Bicknell. Notes: The NZICC is designed to host events with over 4,000 attendees, offering flexible spaces that can be tailored to meet diverse event needs. Conveniently located in the heart of Auckland's CBD, it provides seamless connectivity to the city's vibrant communities, efficient transport links, and effortless access to more than 8,000 hotel rooms within a 20-minute walk, which ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for guests. About ANZCA ASM 2026 ANZCA ASM is an annual meeting organised by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM). It serves as a key forum for anaesthetists, pain medicine specialists, researchers, and healthcare professionals worldwide to engage in knowledge exchange, discuss advancements, and address critical issues in anaesthesia and pain medicine. ANZCA ASM 2026's theme is '@Herenga waka, herenga tāngata: From home to home', which they worked with a designer, Chloē Reweti (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Porou), and cultural advisor, Tui Blair (Ngāti Whātua). Event Dates: 30 April – 5 May 2026 About RANZCO Congress RANZCO Congress is an annual scientific meeting, bringing together ophthalmologists from Australia, New Zealand, and overseas. The event fosters collaboration and learning in the latest techniques, research, and advancements in eye care. Event Dates: 5 – 9 November 2026 About NZICC: The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) is located in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland CBD, making it one of the most connected convention centres in the world. Designed collaboratively alongside event industry experts, the NZICC is a vertically stacked, flexible and modern building, creating a hub of innovation and positive exchange integrated into the fabric of a vibrant city. Uniquely positioned to make each event a memorable experience, the NZICC will offer: A venue that is designed around giving delegates fast and effortless transitions between meetings, exhibition, pre-function, banquet, and performance spaces. A glazed facade provides delegates with an inviting and transparent connection to the vibrancy of the city while allowing views of Auckland's natural beauty, from the Waitākere Ranges to the Waitematā Harbour. Close proximity to Auckland's innovation ecosystem – universities, business headquarters and innovation hubs – allowing event organisers to tap into New Zealand's leading knowledge centres. An integrated atrium and public laneway encourage networking and enhances the delegate experience within a city full of excitement and sophistication, with over 8000 hotel rooms, dining precincts, shopping and entertainment all within 10 minutes walking distance. Configurable spaces presenting opportunities 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.
1News
17 hours ago
- 1News
House approves Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax bill ahead of July 4 deadline
House Republicans propelled US President Donald Trump's US$4.5 trillion (NZ$7.4 trillion) tax breaks and spending cuts bill to final congressional passage overnight, overcoming multiple setbacks to approve his signature second-term policy package before a Fourth of July deadline. The tight roll call, 218-214, came at a potentially high political cost, with two Republicans joining all Democrats opposed. GOP leaders worked overnight and the President himself leaned on a handful of skeptics to drop their opposition and send the bill to him to sign into law. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York delayed voting by holding the floor for more than eight hours with a record-breaking speech against the bill. "We have a big job to finish," said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. "With one big beautiful bill we are going to make this country stronger, safer and more prosperous than ever before." The outcome delivers a milestone for the President, by his Friday goal, and for his party. It was a long-shot effort to compile a lengthy list of GOP priorities into what they called his "one big beautiful bill", an 800-plus page measure. With Democrats unified in opposition, the bill will become a defining measure of Trump's return to the White House, aided by Republican control of Congress. Tax breaks and safety net cuts ADVERTISEMENT At its core, the package's priority was US$4.5 trillion (NZ$7.4 trillion) in tax breaks enacted in 2017 during Trump's first term that would expire if Congress failed to act, along with new ones. This included allowing workers to deduct tips and overtime pay, and a US$6000 (NZ$9900) deduction for most older adults earning less than US$75,000 (NZ$123,619) a year. There was also a hefty investment, some US$350 billion ($577 billion), in national security and Trump's deportation agenda and to help develop the 'Golden Dome' defensive system over the US. To help offset the lost tax revenue, the package includes $1.2 trillion (NZ$2 trillion) in cutbacks to the Medicaid health care and food stamps, largely by imposing new work requirements, including for some parents and older people, and a major rollback of green energy tax credits. House staffers carry American flags through a corridor outside the House chamber which will be used for a ceremony with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. (Source: Associated Press) The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated the package would add US$3.3 trillion (NZ$5.4 trillion) to the deficit over the decade and 11.8 million more people would go without health coverage. "This was a generational opportunity to deliver the most comprehensive and consequential set of conservative reforms in modern history, and that's exactly what we're doing," said Representative Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, the House Budget Committee chairman. Democrats united against 'ugly bill' ADVERTISEMENT Democrats unified against the bill as a tax giveaway to the rich paid for on the backs of the working class and most vulnerable in society, what they called "trickle down cruelty". Tensions ran high in the chamber. Jeffries began the speech at 4.53am EDT and finished at 1.37pm EDT, 8 hours, 44 minutes later, a record, as he argued against what he called Trump's "big ugly bill". House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., left, speaks in the House chamber as House Democrats stand to applaud him. (Source: Associated Press) "We're better than this," Jeffries said, who used a leader's prerogative for unlimited debate and read letter after letter from Americans writing about their reliance of the health care programmes. "I never thought that I'd be on the House floor saying that this is a crime scene," Jeffries said. "It's a crime scene, going after the health, and the safety, and the well-being of the American people." And as Democrats, he said, "We want no part of it". ADVERTISEMENT Hauling the package through the Congress has been difficult from the start. Republicans have struggled mightily with the bill nearly every step of the way quarrelling in the House and Senate, and often succeeding only by the narrowest of margins: just one vote. The Senate passed the package days earlier with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie vote. The slim majority in the House left Republicans little room for defections. Political costs of saying no Despite their discomfort with various aspects of the sprawling package, in some ways it became too big to fail — in part because Republicans found it difficult to buck Trump. As Thursday's stalled floor action dragged overnight Trump railed against the delays. "What are the Republicans waiting for???" the president said in a midnight post. "What are you trying to prove???" Donald Trump presses for votes to his big beautiful bill. (Source: Truth Social) ADVERTISEMENT Johnson relied heavily on White House Cabinet secretaries, lawyers and others to satisfy sceptical GOP holdouts. Moderate Republicans worried about the severity of cuts while conservatives pressed for steeper reductions. Lawmakers said they were being told the administration could provide executive actions, projects or other provisions in their districts back home. The alternative was clear. Republicans who staked out opposition to the bill, including Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, and Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, were being warned by Trump's well-funded political operation. Tillis soon after announced he would not seek re-election. Rollback of past presidential agendas In many ways, the package is a repudiation of the agendas of the last two Democratic presidents, a chiselling away at the Medicaid expansion from Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, and a pullback of Joe Biden's climate change strategies in the Inflation Reduction Act. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, waits on the marble stairway outside the House chamber. (Source: Associated Press) Democrats have described the bill in dire terms, warning that cuts to Medicaid, which some 80 million Americans rely on, would result in lives lost. Food stamps that help feed more than 40 million people would "rip food from the mouths of hungry children, hungry veterans and hungry seniors," Jeffries said. Republicans say the tax breaks will prevent a tax hike on households and grow the economy. They maintain they are trying to rightsize the safety net programmes for the population they were initially designed to serve, mainly pregnant women, the disabled and children, and root out what they describe as waste, fraud and abuse. ADVERTISEMENT The Tax Policy Centre, which provides nonpartisan analysis of tax and budget policy, projected the bill would result next year in a $150 tax break for the lowest quintile of Americans, a US$1750 (NZ$2885) tax cut for the middle quintile and a US$10,950 (NZ$18,053) tax cut for the top quintile. That's compared with what they would face if the 2017 tax cuts expired.
