AUCKLAND - New Zealand's first large-scale crypto convention drew nearly 1,800 attendees to Auckland's International Convention Centre last weekend, with two political parties showing face and the organizers confirming the event returns in 2027.
NZ Crypto Con, held June 6 and 7, was organized by the team behind Aus Crypto Con, which now draws more than 10,000 attendees annually.
David Haslop breaking ground at NZ's first large scale crypto conference
Chief executive David Haslop said just under 2,500 people registered, with scan-ins recording 1,789 - a figure he said likely under counts the real number given not everyone scanned on entry.
The turnout landed within the organizers' revised target range.
“The energy was still pretty amazing all things considered. Stoked to see so many Kiwis come out and enjoy the show. A very active crowd which was great!” Haslop said.
Day one drew strong retail foot traffic.
By day two the floor had thinned, giving industry players room to connect, with side events running before, during and after the weekend-long event.
Politicians on the floor
The event drew direct political engagement.
National Party MP for Southland Joseph Mooney and National Party MP for Hamilton East Ryan Hamilton both appeared on a panel titled "Regulation Without Killing Innovation," focused on policy balance, economic growth and positioning New Zealand as a digital economy leader.
Hamilton is deputy chair of the Finance and Expenditure Committee.
The Opportunity Party (TOP)'s Qiulae Wong discussing innovative policy ideas like UBI
The Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong also attended, engaging attendees and seeking feedback on the party's potential cryptocurrency and blockchain position ahead of the November 2026 election.
The party is polling at 6 per cent in the latest Roy Morgan survey - enough to secure seven seats in Parliament and enter the House for the first time.
The Financial Markets Authority's Jade Smyth also appeared on the programme, alongside PwC New Zealand's Kayur Patel and University of Auckland professor Giovanni Russello.
Inland Revenue sent an investigations lead whose session drew an extended crowd.
"Cornering the IRD investigations lead for an hour after his presentation - I started to feel sorry for him at the end," one attendee said.
The exhibition floor drew a mix of local operators and Australian companies making early moves into the New Zealand market, their accents giving away how far some had travelled to be there.
What the floor said
Community feedback pointed to genuine enthusiasm tempered by ideas for improvement.
The session that generated the most conversation was a debate between Blockchain Forum New Zealand chief executive Trevor Topfer and financial commentator Michael Vincent on Bitcoin versus property investment.
"Great banter between them, and to be fair, they both had valid points," one said.
Another said the breadth of content surprised him.
"I thought it might just be Bitcoin propaganda everywhere but it wasn't the case. A lot about AI, blockchain, even something about Doge," he said.
Several attendees called for a stronger technical programme in 2027, with calls for crypto hackathons, self-custody education sessions and a stronger builder presence.
"Spinning wheels and games of chance should probably move down the road to the casino. Let's have more technical stuff and more builders presenting," one said.
Another said the proliferation of trading platforms pitching courses was a minor irritant but would return regardless. "Honestly, to see what everyone's been building, check out what's happening in the space, and networking with new folks" they said.
There was a noticeable absence of any bank on the exhibition floor.
Author, Aditya Das and Nic Turnbull at the Cryptocurrency NZ chill zone
The road to 2027
The first Aus Crypto Con drew 4,000 people and now regularly attracts more than 14,000, a local crypto expo enthusiast said.
A Sharesies representative at the event indicated the investment platform was considering exhibiting in 2027 - the kind of crossover interest that signals the event is registering beyond the core crypto community.
Haslop was direct on what comes next.
"Yep, 100% back next year," he said.
For a market running at half speed, it was more than enough to call it a foundation.