Auckland is hosting the New Zealand Game Developers Conference (NZGDC) for the first time in nearly a decade, in a year when the New Zealand game development sector has reached $1 billion in revenue, up from $759 million in 2025.
Taking place at the New Zealand International Convention Centre from 30 September to 3 October with the theme of ‘Shaping our World’, NZGDC will bring together game developers, industry leaders, investors and emerging talent from across Aotearoa and beyond. The event has sponsorship from Auckland Council’s cultural, events and destination arm Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and Mayor Wayne Brown will open the industry conference on 1 October.
Hosted by the New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA), the conference features over 100 industry events, and is a highlight of Auckland Games Week 2026 (26 Sept – 3 Oct), a city-wide celebration of gaming culture, innovation and creativity. Mayor Brown says game development is a key part of his focus on tech and innovation to create high-value jobs and export income.
“This aligns with my goals for the Tech Alliance in Auckland. New Zealand’s game development industry continues to level up in Auckland. We’re backing industries like gaming because they attract overseas investment and turn great local ideas into global products, bringing talent and new opportunities to the city. The conference is another win for us as it reinforces our position as the country’s leading centre for tech, innovation and creative industries.”
The NZGDC arrives at a time when Auckland’s gaming ecosystem is accelerating with the support of Auckland Council and its wider network of innovation and creative hubs, including Te Puna Creative Hub in Henderson. The council-operated facility sits at the heart of Te Puna Creative Innovation Quarter and is home to a growing cluster of creative and digital businesses, including game developers.
Meanwhile in Wynyard Quarter, Auckland Council’s innovation precinct GridAKL continues to nurture emerging talent and champions it through the annual Indie Games Showcase, where aspiring developers connect with players, customers and investors, while testing their creations in a real-world environment.
The Executive Director of the New Zealand Game Developers Association and organiser of the NZGDC, Joy Keene, says Kiwi game developers now have an established track record of producing globally successful games.
“We’re seeing a truly inspiring industry success story here in Aotearoa. Our local game development sector is growing at more than 20 times the global average year-on-year,” Keene says.
“Growth means jobs and, as a weightless export industry, game development presents a real opportunity for New Zealand to insulate itself against disruptions in the broader world economy.”
As part of the conference programme, the public will have the opportunity to step into the innovative world of gaming and experience New Zealand’s game development talent firsthand at the Kiwi Games Zone on 3 October. Open from 9am to 4pm with free admission, the interactive showcase will feature exclusively New Zealand-made games.
Ken Pereira, Head of Business Events at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the home of Auckland Convention Bureau, says business events such as NZGDC play an important role in advancing the region’s priority sectors.
“Business events strengthen Auckland’s position as a hub of expertise and innovation by bringing together thought leaders and local industries to exchange knowledge and build partnerships. Auckland Convention Bureau works to attract and support events in key growth sectors, such as game development, to foster investment, collaboration and new opportunities for Auckland’s innovation economy.
“We’re proud to support NZGDC and the opportunities it creates for Auckland’s game development community to share expertise, exchange ideas and build valuable industry relationships.”
To read this and other stories, visit OurAuckland.nz
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