GreenAir indoor plant installation at New Zealand International Convention Centre Auckland showcasing large-scale biophilic design in premier event venue

NZICC Auckland entrance reception with GreenAir indoor plants creating a welcoming biophilic arrival

CASE STUDY

NZICC

Auckland CBD · Convention Centre

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The New Zealand International Convention Centre is Auckland's premier events and conference venue. We were commissioned to bring life to the expansive interior spaces, using carefully selected plant species to complement the scale of the architecture and create welcoming, human-centred environments.

From sweeping foyer displays to intimate breakout zones, every planting decision was guided by the building's unique light conditions, foot traffic patterns, and the need to complement the centre's contemporary design language.

A Grand Welcome

The NZICC's soaring entrance foyer demanded planting that could hold its own against the building's dramatic scale. We specified large-format specimen plants, towering Ficus and broad-leafed Strelitzia, positioned to draw the eye upward and echo the vertical lines of the architecture. The effect is immediate: visitors step inside and are greeted by living walls of foliage.

GreenAir specimen plant display at NZICC Auckland entrance foyer with large-format Ficus and Strelitzia creating dramatic biophilic welcome

Nature Between Sessions

Breakout areas and pre-function spaces are where delegates recharge between events. We designed these zones with clusters of mid-height planting, Aglaonema, Spathiphyllum, and Zamioculcas, chosen for their air-purifying qualities and tolerance of variable indoor light. The greenery turns these transitional spaces into calm, restorative areas.

GreenAir curated indoor plants in NZICC Auckland breakout spaces with air-purifying Aglaonema and Spathiphyllum creating calm delegate areas

32,000m²

OF EVENT & EXHIBITION SPACE

The NZICC is New Zealand’s largest convention and exhibition facility. GreenAir’s planting scheme covers multiple levels and event spaces, ensuring that every area — from intimate meeting rooms to the grand exhibition hall — benefits from the presence of living plants.

Designed for Endurance

A convention centre operates around the clock, with events setting up, running, and breaking down in rapid succession. Every plant species was selected for its resilience to changing conditions: fluctuating temperatures during load-in, variable lighting as rooms are reconfigured, and the inevitable bumps that come with heavy foot traffic. Our maintenance programme keeps the greenery looking its best, with any replacements handled seamlessly.

Resilient indoor plants selected by GreenAir for NZICC Auckland convention centre withstanding high foot traffic and variable event conditions

Living Landmarks

Key locations within the NZICC, the main entrance, the sky bridge, and the VIP lounge, feature statement plantings that act as living landmarks. These large-scale installations help with wayfinding and give each zone its own botanical character, reinforcing the sense of place that makes the centre memorable for delegates and event organisers alike.