Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland will host the International Dairy Federation’s (IDF) World Dairy Summit in 2026, anticipated to attract over 1000 industry leaders and scientific experts to the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC).

The summit is the flagship event for the 120-year-old Federation, which spans more than 40 member countries, representing more than 75% of the world’s milk production. Over 2,000 people attended the event when it was last held in New Zealand in 2010.

New Zealand was awarded this prestigious event following a bid by the New Zealand International Dairy Federation (IDFNZ) with support from Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and Tourism New Zealand.

Convenor Andy Williams says winning the event reflects New Zealand’s standing in the global industry as the source of 40% of the world’s traded dairy products.

“Worldwide, New Zealand is seen as a leader in the sector, from farming practices and welfare through to marketing strategies and everything in between.

“Hosting this summit will be great for New Zealand, it’s recognising our dairy expertise and leadership. We’ll be able to showcase what New Zealand is doing to stay at the forefront of this important global industry and how we’re adapting to emerging challenges. Dairy has an important role to play in the sustainability, safety and security of the global nutrient supply, and it is important that New Zealand is at the table when the sector discusses how we will respond to these important issues.”

Williams says Auckland has the facilities and capacity to host an event of this scale at the NZICC and will be an excellent host city for the event, which is expected to deliver more than $2million to the region’s economy.

Head of ACB Ken Pereira says: “Bringing this conference to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is a great opportunity to showcase the region, both as a centre for agri-tech and as a top business events destination. The IDF World Dairy Summit will provide invaluable opportunities for collaboration, promoting New Zealand’s innovation to global leaders in the industry.

“Inviting these delegates to explore Auckland outside of the conference setting is a further opportunity to show off the unique blend of world-class conference facilities and breathtaking natural landscapes that make Auckland unique.”

The event will showcase the work the IDF is doing to enhance all aspects of dairy - from cows to consumers, including the vital role the Federation plays in helping to shape food policies and standards. Attendees will also hear from senior industry executives from across the globe and eminent technical experts about the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

Andy Williams says having the conference on home soil will help boost New Zealand’s dairy industry through networking, education, trade and new technology opportunities. “You get a lot of cross-fertilisation of ideas.”

The event will be followed by technical tours of manufacturing plants, research institutes, farms, and the dairy industry, showcasing New Zealand’s wider agriculture sector.

A programme of social tours will also enable visitors to explore Auckland and New Zealand.

Tourism New Zealand General Manager New Zealand and Business Events, Bjoern Spreitzer, says: “This is a fantastic opportunity for experts from around the world to share their knowledge with one of New Zealand’s long-standing industries. We hope that visitors take the time to seek out, explore and enjoy all New Zealand can offer.”

NZICC General Manager, Prue Daly, adds: “It is a privilege to be welcoming the World Dairy Summit and its delegates to the New Zealand International Convention Centre in 2026. We look forward to showcasing New Zealand’s manaakitanga and fostering learning within our venue.”

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For media inquiries, please contact media@nzicc.co.nz

About NZICC:

Once operational, NZICC is expected to attract 33,000 international business events visitors to New Zealand. These visitors represent the highest daily yield of any sector of the tourism industry and will contribute $90 million in economic impact. NZICC will also drive a legacy programme alongside conference and event organisers to contribute social impact for the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland community.