New Zealand’s cruise sector has added more star power to its main industry event. The NZCA Conference 2026 has named a second group of speakers for its Auckland gathering.
The event is called “From No Zealand to New Zealand”. It will be held at Shed 10 on Queens Wharf on Thursday, 13 August 2026.
The title is playful, but the task is serious. New Zealand wants to rebuild trust, win more ship calls and give cruise guests a first-rate visit. That means good policy, capable ports and shore trips that live up to the brochure.
New Speakers Bring Industry Muscle
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown leads the new names. He will be joined by Josh Dolgoy, Head of Government Relations, Oceania, at Royal Caribbean Group. Tourism New Zealand chief executive René de Monchy is also confirmed. Brown remains Mayor of Auckland, while Tourism New Zealand lists de Monchy as its chief executive.
The new group also includes Ben Richardson from Dan-Bunkering, Patrick O’Sullivan from ChristchurchNZ, Andrew Locke from CentrePort and Gavin Oliver from EcoZip.
O’Sullivan oversees destination management work across Christchurch and Canterbury, while Locke leads CentrePort’s commercial and CentreConnect operations. Ben Richardson is listed by Dan-Bunkering as a Sydney-based fuel supplier.
Together, they add a broad mix of skills. Their work covers public policy, ship deployment, fuel supply, port trade, destination planning and guest experiences.
In cruise, all those parts must work as one. A fine view is useful, of course, but it cannot fix a late berth or a stack of forms.
They join a strong first group of speakers. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston and Associate Transport Minister James Meager are on the bill.
Senior leaders from Princess Cruises, Ponant Explorations, Carnival Corporation, CLIA and the Australian Cruise Association will also take part. Port of Auckland, Biosecurity New Zealand and several tourism groups will be in the room as well.
That spread is vital. Cruise growth is not won by one company, one port or one minister.
A Programme Built Around Practical Results
The official programme follows the full path of a cruise visit. It starts with policy. It then looks at how New Zealand can earn a place on global itineraries.
Later sessions will focus on delivering strong visitor experiences and building closer cooperation across the Tasman.
This order makes sense. Cruise lines plan routes well ahead. They weigh port costs, berth space, rules, fuel, safety and guest demand. If one part fails, a famous harbour may still miss the ship.
NZCA says the cruise sector has reached a plateau. The association believes more work is needed to reset its course and strengthen New Zealand’s position in the market.
Its conference is therefore being pitched as a place for frank debate and useful answers, rather than merely another round of name tags, lukewarm coffee and polite applause.
For delegates, the key question is clear: what must New Zealand do to become an easy, valued and trusted cruise choice?
Auckland Sets the Stage
The venue adds weight to that debate. Shed 10 sits on Auckland’s waterfront, close to the ships, terminals and city sights that shape each visit.
The day starts with a networking breakfast. It ends with an evening function hosted by Port of Auckland. Between the two, delegates will hear from the political, port, tourism and cruise leaders who can turn good intentions into practical change.
Registrations are open now.
For cruise lines, ports, tour firms, suppliers and public bodies, the conference offers a chance to help set New Zealand’s next course.
The ship will not turn itself, and the tide rarely waits for another committee.
For further information and to register, please visit: Official NZCA Conference 2026 information and Register for the NZCA Conference 2026.
By: Maysa Punchanit – © 2026.
Read Time: 3 minutes.
Author Bio:
Maysa Punchanit has never waited for life to become easy. She’s far too practical for that. Instead, she’s built her path the way many strong women do, step by step, job by job, learning something useful everywhere she’s been.
Her working life has taken her through hospitality, sales, beauty therapy and the fast-moving world of social media, where she partnered with some of Thailand’s best-known companies. Along the way, she discovered a steady voice for blogging, warm, direct and grounded in real experience rather than marketing spin.
Being a single mother sharpened her resolve rather than slowing her stride. If anything, it gave her purpose.
Now with Destination Thailand News and Global Travel Media, Maysa arrives not as a newcomer, but as someone quietly battle-tested, resilient, capable and ready for the next chapter.
