NZAEE Conference 2026
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We are so excited to be hosting our national conference in person this year, for the first time in eight years! Although our online conferences have been popular due to their accessibility, we have heard clearly that educators are ready to spend time together kanohi ki te kanohi this year.
Educators from around the motu are invited to join us in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland during the October school holidays from Monday 5th - Wednesday 7th.
Our conference venue is Motu Moana camp in Blockhouse Bay, which is very central and only 20 minutes from the airport or central train station. We have chosen a location that reflects our focus on te taiao and we can't wait to spend time connecting in this beautiful part of Tāmaki Makaurau.
Tātaiao is a kupu with many layers—multifaceted and grounded in action. Formed by bringing together tātai (ancestral connections, genealogies) and taiao (the natural world), tātaiao expresses the inseparable relationship between people and te Taiao.
It acknowledges the interwoven worldviews of tangata while honouring the knowledge of our tūpuna. Tātaiao reflects the understanding that when we recognise, uphold, and restore these relationships with the natural world, both people and ecosystems can flourish.
Whāia te mātauranga, hei oranga mō koutou
Seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing
Our conference will also be guided by this whakataukī, reflecting our focus on providing an event that nurtures learning, connection and wellbeing.
These themes will be explored through a diverse range of perspectives across our conference programme, including keynote speakers, practical workshops and inspiring sessions from Aotearoa educators, researchers, rangatahi and community organisations.
We are currently working on the conference programme and registration process and will publish these here soon. We're aiming to open registrations by the end of April, but to help you plan your transport options for the conference we can confirm the timing for each day:
Monday 5th October: Conference check in from 12:30, with the afternoon running through until 5pm
Tuesday 6th October: Conference programme will run from 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 7th October: Conference finishes by 12pm
We will host a conference dinner at the venue on either Monday or Tuesday evening (TBC), which will be optional when you register.
There will also be an option to stay on site in either bunkroom style accommodation or camping in your own tent. This will provide an affordable option and more time for networking, with evening meals and breakfast included. If you would rather organise your own accommodation, there are many options near the venue and we will share some ideas here soon.
Do you have an idea for a workshop, case study, resource or interactive discussion that you would love to share with others? We are currently seeking expressions of interest for contributions to the conference programme, with a range of options available.
Let's celebrate and share the mahi happening in our sector, with a focus on practice and research that supports learners and educators with positive action, collaboration, interconnection, wellbeing, agency, equity and joy.
Please click on the link below to complete the form and submit your idea. Our conference committee will review all submissions and get back to you in May to confirm or discuss your idea further.
Call for Contributions Form - open until April 30th
Below are some ideas to help guide your submission or encourage you to contribute!
Possible formats include:
Possible contexts and themes include:
