MARCH 2019 globaltravelerusa.com 53
ments, Hotel Indigo and InterContinental Auckland.
The latter, part of Auckland’s $1 billion Commercial Bay
waterfront precinct, will include 244 rooms due to open
in 2022.
Sudima Hotels & Resorts also announced it will build
a 200-room Sudima Hotel in Auckland’s city center,
due for completion in 2020, complementing its existing
property at Auckland’s airport precinct.
“Auckland is undergoing an unprecedented trans-
formation, with more than $26 billion of public sector
investment on top of the billions of dollars of private
investment flowing into the city in the next decade,”
Hayward said.
Major transformational projects include the Auckland
City Rail Link — the largest transport infrastructure
project ever undertaken in New Zealand. It allows the
rail network to at least double rail capacity. New rail
transport growth statistics suggest that by 2035, CRL
stations will need to cope with 54,000 passengers an hour
at peak travel times, compared to the original estimate of
36,000.
NZICC will connect to public transit and will lie
a short ride from the Auckland International Airport.
Hayward also notes all major central city attractions and
venues will be no more than a 10-minute walk from the site.
According to Hayward, Auckland Council’s Planning
Committee recently voted to pedestrianize Queen Street
and some surrounding inner-city streets in the hope the
city center will become a tourist destination itself.
“Auckland’s increasing infrastructure, greater air con-
nectivity and now the 4,000-people capacity of NZICC
mean a number of previous barriers to attracting larger-
scale international business events are gone. Auckland
is now a serious player in the global business events
market,” Hayward said.
Aside from the upgrade in its infrastructure, Auckland
also ramps up its venue offerings. The Aotea Centre, cur-
rently undergoing a phased refurbishment. will transform
to enable innovative performing arts activities and attract
more world-class creative talent and events. Its interior
refresh began in October, with the Centre set to reopen
this month. Other popular options include the Auckland
Museum – Tamaki Paenga Hira, known for its Neoclas-
sical architecture, and SKYCITY Auckland Convention
Centre, a conference venue accommodating 20 to 2,000
guests.
Another MICE option, Hilton Auckland, features
a unique waterfront location and harbor views. The
165-room hotel offers seven multipurpose rooms
overlooking the water and can host up to 700 guests. The
ASB Waterfront Theatre, another unique conference
and events venue, combines business with the city’s arts
and culture scene. Located in the heart of Auckland’s
Wynyard Quarter precinct, the theater complex offers
several versatile event spaces with the ability to host more
than 600 guests.
Located on picturesque Waiheke Island and just a
35-minute ferry ride from the central city, Cable Bay
Vineyards offers space for business events, from an
intimate board meeting to a dinner for 180 delegates.DINING AND DISPLAY:
The Museum of Transport and Technology
PHOTO: © MOTATUNIQUE VENUES
One of Auckland’s icons and New Zealand’s
largest transport, technology and social
history museum, The Museum of Transport
and Technology offers a range of unique
venue spaces to host up to 800 people
cocktail-style or 350 for a seated dinner.
Across its 40 acres guests can dine among
heritage aircraft in the Aviation Display Hall,
suitable for award ceremonies, dinners and
cocktail events, among other options.
motat.org.nzThe Auckland War Memorial Museum also
caters to groups. The architecture of the
building itself makes it a unique draw, in-
cluding its Neolithic columns. MICE groups
can enjoy a Māori cultural performance
or experience a welcome surrounded by
sacred taonga (treasures). Other options
include a special after-hours exhibition tour
or cocktails with dinosaurs.
aucklandmuseum.comOne of the city’s large-capacity venues,
Shed 10 is a 100-year-old cargo shed full
of history and offering views of Auckland’s
Waitematā Harbour. Its industrial character,
which groups can use as a blank canvas,
represents an important remnant of
Auckland’s early maritime heritage. The only
original building still standing on Queens
Wharf, it now serves as the default terminal
for Auckland’s cruise industry and an
events space perfect for a gala dinner for
up to 800 people.
aucklandlive.co.nz/shed-10Kauri Bay Boomrock, an experiential venue
located about a 45-minute drive from
downtown Auckland, sits on a private, 500-
acre property with coastal views. It focuses
on quality New Zealand cuisine, including
a whiskey tasting option, and a wide range
of on-site activities. Options include clay
bird shooting, hot lapping with profes-
sional drivers, archery or a 4×4 all-terrain
experience.
kauribayboomrock.co.nz