NZ will host Apec despite fire at convention centre, says Ardern

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that Auckland would still host a major regional conference in 2021 despite a fire ripping through the complex where the event would have been held.

There have been no injuries from the massive fire at the under construction SkyCity Convention Centre, which is spewing thick smoke across New Zealand’s largest city, forcing road closures and keeping workers away more than 24 hours after it started.

The fire had prompted an evacuation of SkyCity Entertainment Group’s entire complex, including hotels, casinos and restaurants when it erupted around lunchtime on Tuesday.

It also raised questions on whether the centre would be ready to host major world leaders and events for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meeting in 2021.

Ardern, who visited the site yesterday, said that despite the setback, New Zealand would host the Apec meetings as it has in the past.

“Apec in 2021 will still be held in Auckland ... there is no question there,” she told reporters, adding that the only question was in which facility it would be held.

Emergency services said no one had been hurt in the fire, though a firefighter was treated after feeling ill at the site on Tuesday.

More than 100 firefighters and 25 fire trucks were still battling the blaze.

Hundreds of tourists had to find alternate accommodation on Tuesday as firefighters evacuated and shut down the area.

Many nearby businesses were closed yesterday.

Auckland’s mayor, Phil Goff, said earlier in the day that the centre would now likely not be ready in time for Apec and his council would work with the government on a “Plan B” venue.

Goff said they had been expecting the centre to be finished by around August 2020, and the fire damage meant it could now take more than an extra year to complete.

Fletcher Building and SkyCity said the extent of the damage and the next steps would not be known until the fire was extinguished and an investigation could start. — Reuters