Fletcher Building today announced that the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has been formally handed over to SkyCity for operational commissioning in advance of its planned February 2026 opening. This follows the building achieving Practical Completion (PC).
This marks a major milestone for Auckland and for New Zealand. The NZICC project has endured significant setbacks and challenges as a result of the 2019 fire, including structural damage, flooding, mould remediation and complex rebuilding works. These events transformed what was already a significant build into one of the most technically demanding projects in the country’s construction history. Prior to the fire, the project had already involved 4.8 million working hours. Since the fire, a further 9.7 million working hours have been completed, highlighting the immense scale and intricacy of the rebuild effort.
Fletcher Building Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Reding said: “The completed NZICC is a world-class facility that will attract visitors from around the globe, drive economic activity, and provide a premier venue showcasing New Zealand on the international stage. Today’s milestone represents the culmination of an extraordinary journey in which we have overcome unprecedented challenges, from the aftermath of the fire to complex remediation works that tested every part of the project. It stands as a testament to the determination, skill and professionalism of everyone involved. I want to thank the entire Fletcher team, along with our partners and subcontractors, for their commitment to safely deliver a project of exceptional quality. I also extend my thanks to the Auckland community for its patience and support throughout the construction and remediation process. We are immensely proud to hand over an incredible venue to SkyCity that will serve Auckland and New Zealand for decades to come.”