NZ's biggest tourism event set to 'drive $3m into Auckland's economy this week'

The City of Sails is welcoming back TRENZ, New Zealand’s largest tourism sector showcase, for the first time since 2017. 

It is being held from the 19th - 21st of May at the NZ International Convention Centre.

More than 16,000 business meetings are expected to take place over the next three days. 

Aside from potential gains for the future, it was also expected to bring immediate benefits to Auckland’s struggling CBD. 

Director - Destination at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Annie Dundas said it was great to have so many people coming in. 

“We think this event alone will drive about $3 million into Auckland's economy just this week. So that's before any business is actually written.”

“All of these delegates are staying within city center hotels, and obviously we've had an enormous lift in hotel beds.”

A large focus was on local tourism within the Auckland region, with a special program designed to entice global tourism buyers. 

“Over 340 buyers will participate in a familiarisation experience, involving 25 local operators across 22 itineraries. These will cover a wide breadth of Auckland, from the city centre and Waiheke Island to Matakana and the west coast,” Dundas said. 

Conditions have been looking up for tourism in recent times, despite economic and global uncertainty. 

Stats NZ data from the three months to March 2026 showed tourist arrivals were up 11% compared to the year before. 

In the year to March, arrival levels were at 94% of pre-pandemic levels.