Auckland is preparing for a dynamic week as two major, but very different events arrive in the city.
The World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) 2025, running from 16 to 20 November, and Metallica: M72 World Tour concert on 19November will bring tens of thousands of visitors, filling hotels to near capacity and injecting energy across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Between the riffs of electric guitars and the sharing of global Indigenous knowledge, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited says the city will be buzzing as eventgoers fill hotels and restaurants, and shop at local businesses.
Close to 40,000 visitor nights are expected from Metallica fans alone, with the legendary rock band set to perform to a sellout crowd at Eden Park on 19 November. Meanwhile, nearly 3800 delegates from around the world will gather for the week at the Aotea Centre for WIPCE 2025, the largest academic conference ever held in New Zealand, celebrating Indigenous education, culture, and leadership. This will add a further 16,600 visitor nights over the course of the five-day event, with many delegates also staying on in the region after the conference wraps up.
Together, these events are driving hotel occupancy across the week reaching a full 100 per cent on the night of the 19 November, a welcome boost for Auckland’s visitor economy.
“It’s not every week you get to say Metallica and WIPCE in the same sentence, but that’s exactly what makes Auckland such an exciting, world-class events city,” says Annie Dundas, Director of Destination at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.
“From metal militia to educators, everyone contributes to the vibrancy of our region and the strength of our visitor economy. The energy they bring before, during and after these events, is felt in our streets, our hotels and our hospitality venues.”
Auckland Council Events, through Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, plays a key role in securing and supporting events like these, which inject millions into the local economy and showcase Tāmaki Makaurau to the world. In the last financial year, supported major and business events contributed to an $89 million boost in GDP.
Local hospitality businesses are encouraged to get ready for a lively week ahead, with visitors expected to “stay and play” before and after the events, boosting local coffers.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our hospitality sector,” says Dundas. “We’re calling on Auckland’s restaurants, cafes and bars to match the energy and make every visitor feel part of what makes this city special.”
As well as WIPCE and Metallica, Auckland’s event calendar is packed with a variety of standout events leading into the Christmas period including:
- Pop to Present – 8 November – 15 March – Auckland Art Gallery
- Manuka Phuel: Chasing the Fox – 12 December – Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club
- Lenny Kravitz – 15 November – Spark Arena
- Doja Cat – 18 November – Spark Arena
- TOOL – 22 & 23 November – Spark Arena
- Auckland Live Christmas in Aotea Square – 28 November to 21 December – Aotea Square
- The Others Way Festival – 29 November – Karangahape Road
- RÜFÜS DU SOL – 29 November – Outer Fields at Western Springs
- Lewis Capaldi – 2 December – Spark Arena
- Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park – 13 December – Auckland Domain
- Oprah In Conversation – 14 December – The Civic
- For more information about what is on in Auckland, visit Discover Auckland.
