Dates:
19 to 21 August 2026
Theme:
Our People, Our Practices – Ō Tātou Tāngata, Ō Tātou Tikanga
The New Zealand Area Schools Association Conference 2026 will be held at the InterContinental Wellington from 19 to 21 August 2026.
This year’s theme is:
Our People, Our Practices
Ō Tātou Tāngata, Ō Tātou Tikanga
Who Should Attend
The NZASA Conference is open to:
- Principals and tumuaki
- Senior leaders
- Teachers
- Board members and presiding members
- Executive officers and administration leaders
- Sector partners and sponsors
This is a valuable opportunity for schools to send a delegation, including both leadership and governance representatives.
The conference will bring together area school principals, senior leaders, teachers, board members, and sector partners from across Aotearoa. Together we will celebrate the people, stories, leadership, governance, teaching practice, and shared mahi that make area schools unique.
This annual gathering is an important opportunity to network, learn, share practice, strengthen relationships, and connect with others who understand the unique context of area and composite schools.
As at 5th August NO REFUNDS ARE AVAILABLE if cancelling your place. All costs have now been paid for the conference therefore we cannot accommodate any refunds.
REGISTER NOW!
Conference Programme
The 2026 programme is currently being finalised and will include keynote presentations, shared practice workshops, facilitated discussion groups, sponsor presentations, regional dinners, the AGM, Student Excellence Awards, and the conference dinner.
The conference app will be used again this year to provide access to the programme, speaker information, workshops, sponsor details, and key conference updates. Delegates will be able to select sessions and view information through the app once it is released.
Note: If you wish to bring a guest for dinner the cost is an extra $75 per head.
The programme will be available July 2026 and found on the APP
Sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunities
NZASA welcomes sponsorship partners who are interested in supporting area schools and rural education across Aotearoa.
The conference provides sponsors with the opportunity to connect directly with principals, senior leaders, teachers, board members, and decision-makers from area and composite schools.
Sponsorship opportunities may include exhibitor stands, programme recognition, website and app visibility, sponsor presentations, delegate pack inclusion, and conference dinner or awards support.
For sponsorship enquiries, please contact nzareaschools@gmail.com.
We acknowledge and thank our sponsors for their support of NZASA and the 2026 Conference.
Conference Confirmed Speakers and Workshops
We are pleased to confirm the following keynote speakers for the 2026 NZASA Conference:
| Speaker | Organisation / Role | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Beck | Hurunui College | An Area School Journey |
| Louisa Barham and Nick Wilson | Raglan Area School | Our Voices, Our Stories, The Power of Narrative in Defining School Identity, The WHY |
| Mike Hart and Catherine Bentley | Area School Leadership Advisors | Keynote session |
| Hon Erica Stanford | Minister of Education | Keynote session |
| Meredith Kennett | President, NZSBA | Keynote session |
| Ripeka Lessels | President, NZEI | Keynote session |
| Julia Grace | Speaker, Author and Wellbeing Educator | Better wellbeing, bigger impact at work and beyond |
Workshops and Shared Practice Sessions
The conference will include a range of workshops and shared practice sessions designed for principals, senior leaders, teachers, and board members.
Current workshop and shared practice sessions include:
| Session | Presenter / Organisation |
|---|---|
| Growing cultural, social and emotional intelligence as the platform for academic success | Terina Tehau, Te Pā ō Rākaihautū |
| Climate Action Campus Ōtautahi | Anita Yarwood, Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery |
| Progress reporting, PAT assessments | Julie Roberts, NZCER |
| NZSBA workshop, title TBC | NZSBA |
| Education Review Office workshop, title TBC | ERO |
| Area School Leadership Advisors workshop, title TBC | Mike Hart and Catherine Bentley |
| Teaching Council workshop, title TBC | Teaching Council |
| The Story Telling Blueprint, A Practical Guide to Documenting Your Kura’s Stories, The HOW | Louisa Barham and Nick Wilson, Raglan Area School |
| Bring your A Game, Agentic, Adaptable, Adventurous, Aspiring | Andrea Cameron and Morgana Nathan-Neho, Mangakahia Area School |
| Learners First, NCEA | K Tangaere, H Hohepa, A Suaverdez, P Heron, Ngata Memorial College |
Accommodation
Accommodation at the Intercontinental Hotel, Wellington or a variety of providers around the city. Accommodation is not included in the cost of the conference. Accommodation suggestions including Quest Apartments, Ibis, James Cook. The Intercontinental also has rooms however as a top of the range hotel the cost is higher than our suggestions. You can check out the Intercontinental options by clicking here
Awards
Student Excellence Awards to be presented at conference dinner.
These awards celebrate outstanding students from New Zealand area schools across academic, sporting, cultural, leadership, service, personal achievement, and other fields of endeavour. Schools are encouraged to submit nominations and to share the Student Excellence Awards information with staff.
Please refer to the Student Excellence Awards page of this website where you will find the application form enabling a nomination to be made or click here.
Life membership or recognition award nominations to be received by the Executive Committee at least one month prior to the Annual General Meeting (to be held at conference). For guidelines refer to the guidelines which appear at the back of the constitution. These nominations can be emailed to the NZASA secretary at nzareaschools@gmail.com
For further information contact nzareaschools@gmail.com
Remits
Any remits to the constitution must be received by 15th July. The constitution may be viewed and printed by clicking here.
Remits Should be emailed to nzareaschools@gmail.com Subject line Constitution Remits 2026
Waiata
Click here to view conference waiata.
