New Zealand International Convention Centre scores third mega-event

Plans for the NZICC, now under construction in Auckland.

A third major event has been booked at the $700 million NZ International Convention Centre, now under construction in Auckland.

The International Union of Food Science and Technology's 20th world congress will be held here in 2020, the same year as the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists meet with the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology.

The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness will also meet at the NZICC in 2020.

For the food science congress, the Auckland Convention Bureau, part of Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (Ateed), was supported by Tourism New Zealand, a statement said.

Around 4000 medical researchers and researchers are due for the ophthalmology conference, about 2000 eye care providers for the blindness meeting and now about 2000 food specialists for the latest conference, statements said.

The food union supports programmes and projects to increase safety and security of the world's food supply.

Its congress is booked for five days "bringing together 2000 of the brightest minds in food science, research and innovation from more than 60 countries and contributing an estimated $4.25m to the Auckland economy," a statement from the Auckland Convention Bureau said.