WPATH 2028 gathers global leaders in transgender health in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland has secured the World Professional Association for Transgender Health 30th Scientific Symposium 2028 (WPATH 2028), strengthening New Zealand’s standing as a world-class destination for inclusive, values-led international conferences.
Scheduled to take place from 5 to 10 November 2028 at the New Zealand International Convention Centre, WPATH 2028 will welcome around 1,300 clinicians, researchers, educators, policymakers and community leaders from around the world. The symposium will focus on advancing evidence-based, person-centred care for transsexual, transgender and gender-diverse people globally.
The event is expected to generate an economic impact of nearly NZ$3.1 million and deliver approximately 7,300 visitor nights for Tāmaki Makaurau, while also creating a platform for meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange and progress in transgender health and wellbeing.
The bid was led by Dr Elizabeth McElrea (she/her), board member at World Professional Association of Transgender Health and Jennifer Shields (she/they), president of Professional Association of Transgender Health Aotearoa with support from Auckland Convention Bureau, a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and Tourism New Zealand Business Events.
Shields described the win as a milestone for both the New Zealand and the wider region. “Bringing the WPATH 2028 Scientific Symposium to Tāmaki Makaurau – and to Oceania for the first time – is incredibly significant. The symposium creates a vital space to share evidence, lived experience and best practice, supporting access to gender-affirming care internationally and grounded in the rights of trans people to bodily autonomy and self-determination.
Ken Pereira, head of business events at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, added: “Aotearoa New Zealand has a history of leading progressive policy, inclusion and healthcare. Securing this symposium reflects Auckland’s reputation as an open, inclusive and globally connected region that welcomes important conversations and advances in health and wellbeing.