Destination

Venue

SkyCity Auckland Convention Centre features state-of-the-art conference facilities in the heart of Auckland.

The Centre is conveniently situated near Queen Street (the central city's retail strip) and The Viaduct, home of the 2000 and 2003 America's Cup regattas and to some of the city's popular dining and night spots. It is connected to two hotels: SkyCity Grand, which is built directly above the Convention Centre and SkyCity Hotel, which is part of the SkyCity complex that includes restaurants, bars, the Sky Tower and a Theatre. Both hotels have a gym and a pool.

Aotearoa - New Zealand

New Zealand is known for its outstanding landscapes (world heritage sites cover a significant land area), eco-tourism and adventure sport. Opportunities abound for active geologists. Snow ski, snow board, jet boat, heli-ski, balloon, tandem jump, bungy jump, surf, kayak, raft, mountain bike, climb a peak, hike, play a round of golf, day walk, or just take a scenic flight and relax with a glass of wine in one of our many fine vineyards.

Auckland is our largest city and a central hub for transfers to other parts of New Zealand including the volcanic and geothermal Tongariro National Park, (just 50 minutes from Auckland by plane), and the rocky and mountainous West Coast National Parks (1 hour 30 minute flight). September, being early Spring in New Zealand, is pre-peak season and we anticipate being able to offer competitive travel options.

The official language of New Zealand is English, although many Maori words and phrases are included in our language.

Auckland

Auckland (Akarana), known as the ‘City of Sails’, is set on the edge of the Waitemata Harbour, amongst 50 volcanic cones in proximity to beaches, hiking trails and islands. Add a temperate climate, a background rhythm of Maori and South Pacific culture and a passion for outstanding food and wine, and you’re beginning to get a feel for Auckland.

Auckland City occupies a narrow isthmus between two harbours: drowned valley systems inundated by post-glacial sea level rise between c. 14,000 and 6,500 years ago. It has a generally subdued topography developed on Miocene age flysch. Apart from the numerous small volcanic cones which dot the Waitemata Harbour and isthmus, the city is known for its dissected coastal cliffs, rugged bush-clad ranges composed mainly of volcaniclastic rocks, wild western coastline and eastern lowlands underlain by Quaternary sediments made up of mainly pumiceous and organic materials.

Because Auckland is one of the fastest growing cities in New Zealand, there are many large and challenging infrastructure projects underway and planned for the future - infrastructure is moving underground. New Zealand faces significant debate on power supply options and how these can best be developed without compromising the natural character of the environment, whether it be hydro-schemes, wind farms, coal or geothermal power stations.