SkyCity Entertainment Group won’t open the New Zealand International Convention Centre for another year, citing delays by head contractor Fletcher Construction. 

In an NZX announcement today, the company said it would be next February before the centre, between Hobson St and Nelson St in Auckland’s CBD, would open. 

Last June, Fletcher Building said it continued to target completion by the end of calendar 2024. 

Today, Fletcher told the NZX it “notes SkyCity’s announcement that it is intending to open the New Zealand International Convention Centre in February 2026. Fletcher Building confirms, as previously advised, that it expects to hand over the NZICC to SkyCity by June 30, 2025.” 

SkyCity explained its timing more today. 

“The New Zealand International Convention Centre will open in February 2026 and will now formalise contracting for conferences being held from that date,” SkyCity said. 

“Delays by the contractor means that SkyCity does not expect to commence its own commissioning and operational readiness activities at the NZICC until the second half of 2025 following the delivery of the completed NZICC from the contractor,” it said. 

Jason Walbridge, chief executive said: “The date is later than we’d hoped but offers contingency, as well as certainty for our customers. 

“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.” 

Chief executive Jason Walbridge outside the headquarters of the business. Photo / Jason Oxenham 

Pre-Covid and pre-fire, in February 2019, SkyCity was projecting a 2020 opening and said bookings were being made. 

This week, the Herald reported only two conventions have been booked so far. 

Next year, the International Dairy Federation’s world dairy summit will bring about 1000 people to the centre. In 2028, the IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium will be held there. 

More conferences are understood to be planned, but the NZICC is yet to say what they are or when they will be held. 

Fletcher Construction was due to hand the centre to SkyCity this year. 

“The current provision on the project is unchanged from that taken in February 2024. 

“However, risks will remain until the project is completed, as described in the company’s HY24 financial statements. These include risks on time and cost to complete the construction works and commission the building, and the potential for disputes and wash-up claims against the company,” Fletcher said last June. 

Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 25 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.