Auckland is accelerating into the 21st century with an enthusiasm that sets it apart from other business tourism destinations in New Zealand. The largest city in the Pacific, and by far the largest city in New Zealand, Auckland is giving its neighbouring cities and regions a run for their money when it comes to conference numbers and delegate days. And as recent figures show, not only is Auckland harbouring one-third of New Zealand’s population, it is also scooping up about one-third of the nation’s conference business.
At the end of November last year, the city secured four major conferences for the region (with the help of Tourism Auckland) – the upshot of which would be a total of 5400 international delegate days in the city. The four conferences alone were estimated to deliver about $4.5 million of GDP for the Auckland region and showcase destination Auckland to more than 1600 off-shore delegates.
 And the future looks even brighter for Auckland’s growth in this area, with so many new developments coming onboard by way of new venues and team-building operators which are bound to attract conferences and events to the city.
The first stage of the $26-million-upgrade of the ASB Showgrounds has recently been completed, improving the facility’s capacity to host shows, events and exhibitions which will bring significant economic benefits to Auckland. The city has welcomed the opening of its first five-star hotel in the last six years, The Westin Auckland, Light Quay. The Auckland Museum has opened its Lion Foundation Event Centre, a circular glazed space under the copper dome on the roof of the museum which offers panoramic views across Auckland and can host up to 700 for cocktails, and has also appointed Dr Vanda Vitali as the first female director of the venue. The much-anticipated unique waterfront venue at Northcote Point, The Wharf is ready to welcome events, after a multi-million-dollar facelift, and there’s even talk of a new convention centre for the city, but nothing has yet been confirmed.
So it’s fair to say that the city has a lot more in store for event planners going forward, and it’s just a matter of time before further exciting developments are announced that will no doubt boost the interest from both domestic and international markets in hosting conferences and events in Auckland.
Q. What changes have you seen during your 20 years in Auckland?
A. There’s been a huge amount of change in the C&I industry over the last decade, particularly with the development of new venues and activities catering to this market, including the Vector Arena, SkyCity, Trust Stadium, and TelstraClear Pacific, to name a few. Compared to ten years ago, the skyline is barely recognisable. The waterfront, once the domain of commercial fishermen and shipping companies, now pulsates with bars and restaurants.
Q. What’s one of your favourite spots to chill out?
A. Any one of the many beaches around Auckland, such as Mission Bay, or one of the cafes, restaurants, and bars lining the beaches and harbours.
Q. What’s your “top pick” restaurant?
A. That would have to be Soto Japanese Garden Restaurant, located at 13 St. Marys Road, Ponsonby. You can get some wonderful seafood dishes there, and it even caters for private functions of about 100 people.
Q. When is the best time to conference in Auckland?
A. Anytime is a good time to conference in Auckland – the city is so multi-faceted. Events are usually booked in right through the year, from early January to late December. July through to October seems to be noticeably busier!
Auckland has welcomed the opening of its first five-star international property in six years, The Westin Auckland, Lighter Quay. Overlooking Viaduct Harbour, the hotel celebrates its maritime location with marina views and spacious promenades that link the hotel with Auckland’s harbourside restaurants, cafes, shopping district and theatres. Two private hotel docks enable Auckland boat enthusiasts, by arrangement, to sail right up to the bar and restaurant – a first for a city centre hotel. Yachts will be permanently moored alongside the glass walls of the ground floor, providing visitors with a unique perspective.
Opened in June this year, The Westin Auckland offers more than 900 square metres of function space and three separate function rooms, plus172 guest rooms and suites, wellness centre, and the Late Club, an intimate bar setting open until the early hours, five nights a week.
For a relatively small and exclusive hotel, The Westin Auckland also has a generous open aspect to its stylish public areas. The hotel’s restaurants and bars were all designed by acclaimed interior specialist, Tom Skyring. Dining options include Q, the signature restaurant, and Toast - the waterfront café.
New Zealand’s largest city offers a bunch of bright ideas for group activities, pre- and post-event tours and corporate incentives. All planners need to do is pick from the list of experiences on offer!
The city has it all, from cultural experiences, volcanic landscapes to explore, and spas to relax in, to funky bars and stylish restaurants that welcome groups, and a host of water-based activities including whale-watching and leisurely sunset cruises around the harbour. And most of these features are no more than 30 minutes from Auckland’s CBD.
The city centre itself holds many opportunities for wowing delegates post-conference and bringing smiles to the faces of incentive groups. One such example is the Auckland Observatory and Planetarium, better known as the Stardome Observatory, perched on one of Auckland’s most popular volcanic cones, One Tree Hill. Stardome takes groups on an astronomical  adventure, offering through its planetarium a view of the sky at any time day or night, rain or shine. The venue caters for 10 to 100, and the surrounding park includes Maori archaeological sites, playgrounds, BBQs, walking tracks, and a working farm.
Offering adventures of the nautical kind, The Pride of Auckland Company operates a fleet of large purpose-built sailboats on the sheltered waters of Auckland Harbour (Waitemata Harbour). Groups can participant in dinner cruises, incentive activities, team-building races or large regattas of around 500 guests and 17 yachts, and day activities including ocean rafting, kayaking, and snorkelling based on various islands within Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. The company utilises the NZ National Maritime Museum complex in the city for its onshore kitchen, office and berthing facilities. This venue offers a unique conference and functions centre, The Maritime Room with unsurpassed sea views, as well as boats and life-sized maritime-themed exhibits.
Allow groups to experience Auckland’s wilderness with an interactive guided eco-tour run by Bush and Beach. This environmentally savvy operator provides half- and full-day tours to Great Barrier Island and the Waitakeres for small groups that want to experience the wild side of the city, while ensuring they’re not creating any impact on the environment and wildlife. Each tour is led by an experienced guide with extensive knowledge of native flora and fauna, and an acute awareness for environmental safety.
Clooney
33 Sale Street, Freemans Bay
www.clooney.co.nz
What: A former industrial warehouse transformed into an exquisite dining space, opened since the Spring of 2006.
Eat: Firstlight venison with gorgonzola, chestnut and honeycomb ravioli and mushroom fricassee for NZD$36.00.
Drink: Baby Ruby cocktail – Bacardi apple, tart apple, peach de vigne, fresh lemon and sugar syrup for NZD$15.00.
Bracu
49 Main Road Bombay Hill
www.bracu.co.nz
What: Only 30 minutes from Auckland CBD and set among 30,000 olive trees, in a 100-year-old Kauri villa, Bracu offers fine-dining without the dress code.
Eat: Extra bitter chocolate ‘moelleux’ – a baked mellow chocolate pudding, dusted in dried raspberries, with toasted almond milk ice-cream for NZD$16.50.
Drink: La Strada Auslese 2001 Marlborough from the restaurant’s Rare Wine Library.
The Whiskey
210 Ponsonby Road
www.whiskeybars.com
What: An sophisticated, intimate bar offering colourful cocktails and classic rock tunes.
Drink: Chocolate martini – combines white chocolate liqueur with vodka and flakes of milky bar.
Capacity: The venue can accommodate 120 for functions.
Knights on Albert Restaurant
Stamford Plaza Auckland, 22 Lower Albert Street
www.stamford.com.au
What: Great a-la-carte dining in the centre of the city, featuring steak selection, seafood, roast meals and game, coupled with a fantastic selection from the desserts buffet.
Eat: Ostrich medallions served with wilted spinach, kumara puree and seared scallops, for NZD$29.00.
Drink: Assorted cocktails for NZD$8.00.
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