The New Zealand International Convention Centre has officially opened its doors for the first time.
Construction has faced delays, in part due to the 2019 fire that required over 10 days to fully extinguish. The blaze which erupted on the centre’s roof was later determined to be accidental.
The completed venue can accommodate over 4,000 people and is expected to generate around $90 million annually for the next three years.
At the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described it as an exciting day, noting that the convention centre demonstrates the government’s commitment to building a “world-class New Zealand.”
He said the centre is likely to generate more than the projected $90 million.
Convention centre general manager Prue Daly said over 120 events are already booked for this year, with additional bookings secured for years ahead.