Sunrise in Wellington. Photo Credit: WellingtonNZ
Wellington will host the Indigenous Wellbeing Conference from 10 to 12 October 2027 at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The annual conference is expected to draw up to 400 delegates from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Hosted by the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association, the event will focus on Indigenous-led approaches to wellbeing across health, mental health, education, justice, community services, culture and policy.
The bid was supported by Business Events Wellington and Tourism New Zealand Business Events.
Support also involved iwi, associations and academia, while there would be integration with marae visits, waka experiences and tours of Pōneke, according to Business Events Wellington manager Loryn Blaikie.
Trent Bruinsma, GM of AST Management, which provides conference management services to the association, said New Zealand was an important part of the conference and that the programme would highlight Indigenous work in academia, research, professional practice and community health.
Moreover, Wellington’s proximity to Parliament would give delegates access to decision-makers, remarked Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network chief executive Grant Davidson.