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Wednesday, September 02, 2026
The 16th International Coral Reef Symposium was hosted at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland from 19 to 24 July 2026. Exceeding attendance expectations, it united 2,115 delegates from 93 countries for one of the world’s leading scientific conferences focused on coral reef conservation, climate science, and ocean sustainability.
Tourism New Zealand Business Events and the Auckland Convention Bureau worked alongside Victoria University of Wellington to secure the event, with the help of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Fijian office and the University of Auckland.
The symposium marked the first time the International Coral Reef Symposium had been hosted in Oceania. Auckland was selected for possessing the infrastructure and accessibility to host a major international conference and for its strong cultural, scientific, and geographical connections to the Pacific.
Chair of the ICRS local organising committee, Simon Davy, Professor of Marine Biology, Victoria University of Wellington, said: “Auckland is a hub for the Pacific region. The Pacific Ocean covers around one-third of the Earth's surface and contains more than 25 per cent of the world's coral reef area, supporting a wide variety of unique and endemic species – from fish and plant life to microscopic bacteria.”
The location not only put the spotlight on the vital importance of the Pacific region’s coral reef systems but also enabled a focus on the unique perspectives and knowledge of Pacific peoples, reinforcing the value of combining Indigenous knowledge with scientific research to address the challenges facing coral reefs worldwide.
Davy noted, “Tāmaki Makaurau has strong connections to its Pacific Island neighbours, and as the city with the world’s largest Polynesian population, Auckland provides an unparalleled opportunity to feature Pacific peoples’ knowledge and traditions for reef management. When looking for a conference destination, we wanted a location that was well connected and welcoming of diverse voices, to find solutions to the threats facing coral reefs.”
The event also provided support for 20 Pacific Island delegates to attend, helping broaden access to the global scientific conversation and strengthening the Pacific voice within discussions.
The symposium was the largest international conference held at the New Zealand International Convention Centre to date, and demonstrated the venue’s ability to deliver a complex, large-scale international conference. It successfully hosted world-class plenary speakers, hundreds of technical sessions across multiple concurrent streams, poster presentations, workshops, networking opportunities, and a gala banquet, all within one venue.
The NZICC’s significant sustainability initiatives supported the ethos of the event, and its Auckland city centre location enabled access to more than 8,000 hotel rooms and excellent dining and activity options within easy walking distance.
From Māori artwork integrated throughout the venue to the traditional pōwhiri welcome delivered in partnership with local iwi, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the NZICC also created an experience that authentically connected delegates to the culture and hospitality of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Co-Chair of ICRS Dr Stacy Jupiter, Executive Director of the Global Marine Program at the Wildlife Conservation Society, described the venue as “World-class, fully equipped to welcome all our delegates from around the globe.”
The symposium generated an estimated $7 million in direct economic impact, delivering significant benefits for Auckland's hospitality, accommodation, and tourism sectors. But beyond the visitor economy benefits, the event created a platform for knowledge transfer, collaboration and future research partnerships focused on the protection of coral reefs and the communities that depend on them.
Tourism New Zealand General Manager New Zealand and Business Events Bjoern Spreitzer noted: “We've got experts from all around the world. They're really grappling with the big questions."
Discussions explored threats such as global warming and ocean acidification, as well as human impacts including agricultural run-off, poor fishing practices and coastal development. The symposium brought together researchers, policymakers, industry, and conservation organisations to address these challenges and identify practical solutions.
For Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the event reinforced the region’s reputation as a leading destination for international association conferences, while showing how business events can address shared global challenges, foster international collaboration, and create lasting benefits for both the host destination and the global community.
Dr Jupiter said the event had received “only positive feedback so far, with many of the delegates declaring that it is the best ICRS that they have ever attended.”
WATCH THE VIDEO from New Zealand International Convention Centre:
This summary is based on the original case study published by Auckland Convention Bureau. (opens in new window)Read more
Tourism New Zealand’s Business Events team provided strategic funding and support to attract the 16th International Coral Reef Symposium to New Zealand.
Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme is available to any association or organisation that wants to bid to host an international conference in New Zealand with a minimum of 200 international delegates. See more here.