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- By Desley Simpson, Auckland Deputy Mayor
Auckland feels different right now – in the best way. There’s a sense of lift in the air, a feeling the city is stepping into the version of itself we’ve been talking about for years.
I was part of the opening of the long-awaited New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), and I really felt it there.
The place hums with possibility and represents confidence in our city, and a strong belief in Auckland’s future. And it’s about time!
We’re the country’s economic engine – home to a third of New Zealand’s people, and despite the recent recession, generating more than a third of its GDP, and increasingly the place where ideas and innovation collide.
We’re the commercial centre, the manufacturing hub, and if the tech sector keeps growing the way it has been, we’ll soon be the region’s tech capital too.
A world‑class convention centre belongs here! And already it has more than 120 events booked for this year, is set to attract over 33,000 international visitors annually, and surpass the $90 million economic benefit initially predicted.
The opening of the NZICC couldn’t be timelier. It’s part of a bigger story of regeneration – the City Rail Link is about to open, the Central Interceptor will make our waterways cleaner and our infrastructure more resilient, and the airport redevelopment is strengthening our role as the country’s international gateway.
Yes, we are still seeing a high number of business insolvencies, but I think it’s important to look at the whole picture: business confidence is the highest it’s been in decades and investor visas are up, these are all signals people are feeling optimistic again.
You can sense the city stretching and getting ready!
February also saw a huge moment for Eden Park and for us Aucklanders in turn. The Government has updated planning rules meaning it can host more concerts and major events and operate with the flexibility you’d expect from our country’s largest stadium.
It’s a shift that brings us in line with global best practice and cements Eden Park as a world-class venue.
Even better, 97 per cent of locals support hosting more events! And then came the cherry on top – Eden Park will host New Zealand’s first ever State of Origin match in 2027.
The first time this event has been held somewhere other than Australia in over 40 years.
That’s a massive win – economically, culturally, and symbolically. It signals that international event owners see Auckland as a serious player.
Put all of this together and you start to see a pattern. Auckland is shaking off the narrative of struggle and stepping into a new phase – one defined by resilience, confidence, and long‑term thinking.
Yes, we’ve had challenges, but our city has always bounced back stronger, and 2026 is shaping up to be a turning point.
Our population will keep growing and our role as the country’s commercial heart will deepen.
And as we invest in infrastructure, events, and the visitor economy, we create a virtuous cycle: more opportunity, more productivity, more liveability. I like the sound of that.
