NZAEE Conference 2026
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.
Join us in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland during the October 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.
Please note: Conference registrations have now closed. Delegates can find more information about the conference programme and venue by scrolling down to the coloured boxes below.
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.
This kupu 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.
You can read more about our conference progamme, venue and registration by clicking on the coloured boxes below.
Across the three days of our conference, we will hear from inspiring speakers including mana whenua, researchers, educators and rangatahi. You can read more about our keynote speakers and panel sessions below.
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Tuesday Keynote Speaker:
Dan Hikuroa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato-Tainui, Ngaati Whanaunga, Pākehā) is a father, husband, surfer and gardener. He is Associate Professor in Māori Studies, University of Auckland, UNESCO New Zealand Commissioner for Culture and world expert on weaving indigenous knowledge and science to realise the dreams and solve the challenges of the communities he works with.
Dan has been spearheading alternative ways of undertaking development and assessing sustainability, including braiding indigenous knowledge and epistemologies with science and into policies, assessment frameworks and decision-support tools.
Tuesday Rangatahi Panel Session:
Our Tuesday afternoon panel session features rangatahi participants from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Taupō and Waitaha Canterbury. They will share their experiences as environmental and climate leaders, including advice for educators and other adults who play a key role in uplifting the voices and aspirations of young people, so they can develop the agency and leadership to take positive action for the health of people and te taiao.
Wednesday Educators Panel Session:
Our final day will open with a panel of experienced and passionate educators sharing their hopes and actions for education, with links to our conference theme Tātaiao. Panel speakers include Heidi Mardon (Toimata Foundation Chief Executive, Enviroschools), Tara Solomon (Kaitiaki Kindergartens Kaiwhakahaere Matua | Chief Executive), Dr Cherie Taylor-Patel (Primary school Principal and researcher) and Philippa Wintle (Deputy Principal, Kelston Girls' College).
