Explore our fantastic programme, registrations are now open!

NZPI 2024 Conference is set to be the best to date, delivering a compelling and vastly relevant programme that is globally inspired and locally focused.

To ensure our conference is accessible to all those associated with the NZ Planning profession, and planning at large, we are hosting a hybrid conference, meaning if you are unable to make it to conference in-person, you can attend from literally anywhere in the world that has an internet connection.



DOWNLOAD FULL PROGRAMME

*Note - programme is subject to change.

Programme Summary

Wednesday 20th March


  • Pōwhiri - Te Kōpū Mānia Marae
    8:00am

Pre-conference Events:

Thursday 21st March


  • Mihi Whakatau
    8:00am
  • Welcome - MC & NZPI Chair
    8:40am
  • KEYNOTE - Tipa Mahuta
    9:00am-9:45am
  • KEYNOTE - Joan Ko (AUS)
    9:45am-10:25am
    Sponsored by Arup
  • Update from Special Interest Group / Summary by MC
    10:25am - 10:35am

Morning Tea

  • KEYNOTE - Toney Hallahan (AUS)
    11:00am-11:40am
  • KEYNOTE - Minister
    11:40am-12:20pm
  • Update from Special Interest Groups / Summary by MC
    12:20pm - 12:30pm

Lunch

  • KEYNOTE - Riley Elliott
    1:30pm-2:10pm
    Sponsored by Boffa Miskell
  • KEYNOTE PANEL - Indigenous Peoples involvement in Planning - Darren Thomas (CAN)
    2:10pm-2:50pm

Afternoon Tea

  • Rodney Davies Research Symposium
    2:30pm-5:00pm
  • Breakout Session Streams
    3:10pm-5:10pm
  • Whakamoemiti
    5:10pm
  • NZPI AGM
    5:15pm-6:15pm
  • Networking Drinks
    5:45pm-7:00pm
    Sponsored by Campbell Brown
  • Social Functions
    7:00pm-10:00pm (offsite)

Friday 22nd March


Morning Tea

  • KEYNOTE - Rebekah Taussig (USA)
    9:55am-10:35am
  • KEYNOTE - Kate Heffey & Linda Mulvihil
    10:35am-11:15am
  • KEYNOTE PANEL - Climate Change - Nick Aiken, Iain White, Lara Clarke & Sarah Cotterill
    11:15am-11:55am

Lunch

  • Update from Special Interest Groups / Summary by MC
    12:50am - 12:55am
  • KEYNOTE - Jo Horrocks and Sarah-Jayne McCurrach, EQC
    12:55pm-1:35pm
    Sponsored by Aurecon
  • KEYNOTE - Sarah Laurie
    1:35pm-2:15pm
  • Whakakapi / 2025 NZPI Conference Presentation
    2:15pm-2:30pm

Afternoon Tea

  • Breakout Session Streams
    2:50pm-4:20pm
  • Free Time
    4:20pm-6:00pm
  • Gala Pre-Dinner Drinks
    6:00pm-7:00pm
  • Gala Dinner - includes Nancy Northcroft Award Presentation
    7:00pm-12:00am

Additional Events

Additional events include our pre-conference preeminent annual events: Hui Papa Pounamu, the Elected Representatives Workshop and the Emerging Planners Congress. A high school programme is also offered to potential future planners.

These are half to full day events hosted by or for a special interest group that occur either prior to the commencement or in the main conference. Each event will contain a range of speakers and presentations specific to the special interest group.

REGISTER VIA MAIN CONFERENCE FORM

Emerging Planners Congress

The Emerging Planners Congress is the annual professional development event organised by and for Emerging Planners of New Zealand.

The Congress is a single day event coinciding with the NZPI annual conference which aims to encourage critical thinking and discussion among planners up to 5 years’ experience while facilitating and encouraging professional, social and career development opportunities.

Download programme here

REGISTER VIA MAIN CONFERENCE FORM

Elected Representatives Workshop

The Elected Representatives Workshop provides a dedicated forum for elected members to discuss the most topical issues facing the resource management profession and exploring how these issues connect to the local government space.



Download programme here


REGISTER VIA MAIN CONFERENCE FORM

Rodney Davies Research Symposium

This Symposium is named after Rod Davies a town planner and architect whose long and distinguished contribution to the planning profession and the NZPI was recognised in the award of Life Fellow in 2009.

The Rodney Davies Research symposium offers a unique opportunity for the sharing and discussion of academic research and ideas. The half day symposium historically focuses on a specific topic within the conference theme. The 2024 theme presents a great opportunity for academics to showcase and discuss research of relevance.

Details will. be online soon.

High School Seminar

Prior to the NZPI Annual Conference students will have an exciting day of activities collated by our Committee to introduce students to a possible career in Planning.

Details will be online soon.

REGISTER VIA MAIN CONFERENCE FORM

Hui Papa Pounamu

Hui Papa Pounamu the signature event for Papa Pounamu, the Māori special interest group within Te Kōkiringa Taumata New Zealand Planning Institute. It is a full-day event within the NZPI annual conference focusing on Māori and Pacific communities and practitioners. It celebrates successful kaupapa indigenous-centered approaches to common planning issues, and highlights matters of particular interest to whānau, hapū, and iwi Māori, as well as our relations from across the Pacific.

Details will be online soon.

Breakout Sessions

Our 2024 breakout sessions will be a mix of local speakers presenting in person.

The breakout sessions are grouped by the conference sub themes and there are between 4 and 5 parallel streams running at once. With such a full programme of exciting speakers, it’s a good idea to plan your day ahead of time.

As part of your full registration, all sessions will be made available to you via the Virtual Hub exclusive to attendees post-conference, so you won't miss out on any content no matter which streams you choose to attend in-person.

Bridging the Central / Local Government Divide


Stream Sponsored by


Co-Governance, Māori in decision making and Tino Rangatiratanga


Stream Sponsored by:

Facing Climate Change Together



Stream Sponsored by:

Planning for Diversity and Inclusion



Stream Sponsored by:

Tips for Being a Great Planner



Stream Sponsored by:


EXHIBITION HALL B
HEAPHY 1
HEAPHY 2
HEAPHY 3
BROOKLYN 1&2




Bridging the Central / Local Government Divide




Stream Sponsored by:

Co-Governance, Māori in decision making and Tino Rangatiratanga / Facing Climate Change Together

Stream Sponsored by:

Facing Climate Change Together




Stream Sponsored by

Planning for Diversity and Inclusion




Stream Sponsored by:

Mixed Stream






Stream Sponsored by:

Tools for Facing Climate Change Together




Stream Sponsored by:


EXHIBITION HALL B
HEAPHY 1
HEAPHY 2
HEAPHY 3
BROOKLYN 1&2
ARENA LOUNGE



Pōwhiri

The 2024 NZPI Conference will begin with a Pōwhiri, delegates will be welcomed on the Wednesday morning at 8am. Unless you are leaving on one of the field trips departing before 9am, it is strongly recommended that you attend this pōwhiri so as to respect this integral custom of being welcomed into the region and to Conference itself.

Details will be online soon.

Welcome & Awards Function

The Welcome & Awards Function will take place on Wednesday evening on the upper concourse at Claudelands, where you can enjoy complimentary drinks and canapés, and take the opportunity to network, socialise and celebrate with your peers.

All NZPI annual awards and scholarships will be presented at this year's Welcome Function, except the Nancy Northcroft Award (NZPI's Supreme Practice Award) which will be presented at the Gala Dinner on Friday..

Details will be online soon.


Field Trips & Social Functions

Here you will find all the details on the 2024 social events and field trips.

Join in on these special events to make the most of your experience in this stunning part of the country! We have organised some amazing field trips taking place on the 20th of March and the social events on the evening of the 21st of March.

Minimum and maximum numbers apply, so get in quick to avoid missing out. Please note that if minimum numbers are not reached, some functions may be cancelled.

Full details here

Gala Dinner

This black tie event is a wonderful way to top off a fantastic conference and celebrate the amazing efforts all the award winners have made in the industry as well as honoring the winner of the Nancy Northcroft (Supreme Practice) Award. A final conference hurrah with your colleagues, enjoy a three-course meal, entertainment and dancing into the evening with Hamilton covers band, The Monroes.

The evening will feature the presentation of the Nancy Northcroft (Supreme Practice) Award,

This will be a night to remember!


Details will be online soon.