Auckland Showgrounds has confirmed its new operator, with NZ Exhibition and Events Co. Limited (NZEEC) signing a lease to operate the venue for the next five years.

The rights were secured via a competitive tender, managed by independent leasing experts, Bayleys.

“We’d like to thank all those that submitted for their time and effort,” Cornwall Park Trust Board chief executive officer, Murray Reade, said. “We are confident NZEEC is the best partner to run the Auckland Showgrounds through to 2028.”

NZEEC, under the management of Mark Frankham and Dean Mulholland, in its role of operator of the Showgrounds has an established track-record of working with the New Zealand events sector to enable successful events to take place at the venue. 

Frankham said the lease enables Auckland Showgrounds to continue to be used for events, exhibitions, and trade fairs.

“We are now able to offer assurance to event and exhibition holders across New Zealand, providing the comfort and certainty of having an experienced NZEEC team who are all well versed in the events industry, and we welcome their future event bookings.”

Additionally, all existing bookings will be honoured.