Auckland will attract some 2,500 pest control experts in 2026 as the Federation of Asia Oceania Pest Management Associations (FAOPMA) – Pest Summit Conference comes to New Zealand for the first time. The annual conference is the largest pest management event within the Asian/Pacific/Indian region. The summit will bring pest control specialists, academics, and industry suppliers from around the world to the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) for a programme of international speakers, technical workshops, and an exhibition, plus opportunities to see pest control activity in the field.
Pest Management Association of New Zealand (PMANZ) Executive Council member Gerwyn Jones says New Zealand’s Predator-Free 2050 efforts played an integral role in winning the bid:
“New Zealand is seen as one of the leaders of innovation in the pest control/conservation space. We’re seeing technology developed as part of Predator Free 2050 adopted for urban pest management and for the global market.Hosting FAOPMA is a great way to showcase our country and its technological advancements in pest control to the rest of the world.
“Being recognised on the global stage will be massive for PMANZ and the pest control industry in New Zealand. We will have 300 delegates from around the country coming to the conference, learning, collaborating, and building potential research or business partnerships with international leaders in this field.”
PMANZ was supported by Tourism New Zealand’s Business Events team and Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), a division of Auckland Unlimited, to secure the event for New Zealand.
Tourism New Zealand General Manager New Zealand and Business Events Bjoern Spreitzer says: “Hosting this conference will showcase New Zealand’s world-leading innovation. It will open doors for future investment and research that can help make New Zealand predator-free and protect our ecosystems for future generations.”
The conference will also bring an estimated economic benefit of $6.5 million to New Zealand, boosting the local hotel, hospitality and retail sectors.
Ken Pereira, Manager of Auckland Convention Bureau, says: “The annual FAOPMA-Pest Summit Conference is the largest pest management event within the Asian/Pacific/Indian region. Tāmaki Makaurau being awarded the event is a great honour and allows the local Association to showcase our city’s natural environment, our forests, our oceans, and how our unique culture cares for each of these ecosystems to a global audience. We can’t wait to welcome these delegates to our city in 2026.”
Tourism New Zealand’s dedicated Business Events team provides strategic funding and support to attract conferences and incentives to New Zealand. For more information on holding a business event in New Zealand, visit businessevents.newzealand.com.
