Latest news with #NZICC
1News
04-07-2025
- Business
- 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
03-07-2025
- Business
- 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
06-06-2025
- Business
- 1News
SkyCity sues Fletchers for $330m over convention centre delays
SkyCity has filed legal proceedings against Fletcher Building and The Fletcher Construction Company, seeking compensation of $330 million for "ongoing delays" to its new convention centre. Intended to open in 2020, the project was delayed after a devastating fire hit the construction site the year before the opening date. In a statement this morning, SkyCity said it had incurred losses due to the delays, including as a result of the fire. Fletcher Building said it would "vigorously defend itself" against the claim. SkyCity said the project was nearly six and a half years behind the contractually agreed delivery date of January 2019. ADVERTISEMENT Parliament punishment, free money?, getting wicked again (Source: 1News) "SkyCity's claim alleges that Fletchers' breaches of contract, including those which caused the fire, constituted gross negligence, and/or a persistent, flagrant or wilful neglect to carry out obligations under the building works contract," the business said on NZX. SkyCity claimed it was entitled to $330 million in liquidated damages from Fletchers under the contract. "SkyCity has attempted to resolve these claims by agreement with Fletchers but has been unable to do so." SkyCity chief executive Jason Walbridge said the convention centre was supposed to take around three years to build, but had taken almost 10. 'This is a project of key importance not only for SkyCity but also Auckland and the wider New Zealand economy," he said. Walbridge said SkyCity remained "confident" of its February 2026 opening for the convention centre, and expected the building to be handed over in the second half of this year. ADVERTISEMENT "We are ramping up for opening with recruitment for key positions already underway and exciting plans to celebrate finally being able to open our doors and welcome visitors to enjoy the world-class experience we will have on offer'. Fletcher Building acknowledged the legal action and said it would "vigorously" defend itself. The company said it had already paid "significant" liquidated damages to SkyCity over the delays. The NZICC project, located on Hobson St in the city centre, is adjacent to Auckland's Sky Tower and spans 32,500 square metres over four floors. (Source: Supplied) "Accordingly, Fletcher Construction will vigorously defend itself against the SkyCity claim for further liquidated damages beyond the capped amount provided for in the building works contract," its statement to the NZX read. "Whilst the delivery of the NZICC project has suffered from a number of challenges, including as a consequence of the fire and Covid-related impacts, Fletcher Building rejects absolutely that it has breached its contract with SkyCity in the manner alleged." It said the risk of dispute with SkyCity over the delay and costs associated with the NZICC had been flagged previously. ADVERTISEMENT Fletcher Building confirmed it had completed construction work on the convention centre. It said the focus had now moved to remediating defects, completing the complex commissioning processes, and securing required Council sign-offs. It sought to work collaboratively with SkyCity. "Fletcher Building anticipates handing over the site to enable SkyCity to commence its operational readiness activities during the second half of 2025, in preparation for SkyCity's announced opening in February 2026." Fletchers said the net costs to complete the project had been reassessed, considering the costs and resources estimated to be required for the final stages. "With the result that Fletcher Building expects to record a further provision of c$12–15 million, in addition to provisions previously reported in February 2024. That provision does not include any costs associated with the SkyCity dispute announced today." The company also said it continued to pursue recoveries under the convention centre's insurance policy of more than $100 million and had brought legal action against the roofing membrane subcontractors concerning the fire. Fletchers said those proceedings would commence at the High Court "shortly". "While the Company considers it has good grounds to recover material amounts under the TPL policy and the Court action, it has not recognised any recoveries at this time."
RNZ News
05-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
SkyCity sues Fletcher over delays in completing Auckland's convention centre
Photo: RNZ / Danielle Street Casino operator SkyCity Entertainment is suing Fletcher Building for losses incurred because of delays in completing the International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland. The company alleges that Fletcher's breaches of contract, including causing the 2019 fire , constitute negligence and have resulted in the project being more than six-and-a-half-years behind schedule. "The NZICC was originally scheduled to take approximately three years to build, and it has now taken almost 10 ," SkyCity chief executive Jason Walbridge said. "This is a project of key importance not only for SkyCity, but also Auckland and the wider New Zealand economy." SkyCity said it attempted unsuccessfully to resolve these claims directly with Fletcher, and it was entitled to contractual damages of more than $330 million. Walbridge said the NZICC was expected to be handed over in the second half of this year, and due to open in February next year. "We are ramping up for opening, with recruitment for key positions already underway." Fletcher said it had already paid significant liquidated damages to SkyCity under the contract, rejected that it had been negligent and breached its contract, and would vigourously defend the claim. "Whilst the delivery of the NZICC project has suffered from a number of challenges, including as a consequence of the fire and Covid-related impacts, Fletcher Building rejects absolutely that it has breached its contract with SkyCity in the manner alleged," it said in a statement to the stock exchange. "Accordingly, Fletcher Construction will vigourously defend itself against the SkyCity claim for further liquidated damages beyond the capped amount provided for in the building works contract." Niwa captures SkyCity Convention Centre blaze still alight into the night on 22 October. Photo: Twitter / NIWA Weather However, Fletcher said it would book a further loss of between $12m-15m in its next accounts related to the project, having taken a $165m hit in 2024 . It is also suing roofing subcontractors in relation to the fire and pursuing more than $100m from insurers. SkyCity and Fletcher have said the handover of the building was on track for the second half of 2025, with the opening due in February 2026. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
21-04-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Room rates climb in Queenstown, Christchurch and Rotorua amid tourism recovery
Photo: 123RF Tourist hotspots are seeing a rise in hotel room rates with international visitor numbers back to 86 percent of pre-Covid levels. Data from Hotel Data NZ says overall room rates were up in Queenstown, Christchurch and Rotorua, with a 6.5 percent increase to $239 for rooms available in Queenstown for the year ending 31 March. Room rates in Christchurch were up 5 percent and 3 percent in Rotorua, though rates were down 10 percent in the main centres of Auckland and Wellington, in the year to 31 March. Colliers International director Derrek Anderson said rates were falling in Auckland and the capital for different reasons. "In Auckland there is an increased supply of hotel rooms that has impacted the numbers, while the city would benefit from a greater number of major events," he said. "Next year's opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) looks promising for the city and projections from the NZICC suggest the facility will attract 33,000 new international visitors to New Zealand, which equates to 101,000 additional visitor nights." He said Wellington continued to struggle in the wake of cutbacks in government spending. "In Wellington, occupancy and average daily rates are down due to the central government's reduction in spending but we do not see this as a long-term shift and expect demand to bounce back in line with the broader New Zealand economy." Anderson said buying interest in hotels from investors was already bounding back. "As the official cash rate continues to drop in New Zealand we expect that will boost transaction numbers, despite the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty that investors are currently navigating. "The recent sale of the InterContinental Auckland to an offshore purchaser underscores the long-term prospects of the New Zealand market as we move forward in our economic recovery." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
