fbpx
Select Page

New Zealand Symposium

The IAP2 Australasia New Zealand Symposium brings together engagement practitioners, community development practitioners, communications and marketing professionals and academics to engage, learn, share and network.

The IAP2 Australasia New Zealand Symposium brings together engagement practitioners, community development practitioners, communications and marketing professionals and academics to explore the diverse and challenging topic of community and stakeholder engagement.

This year’s theme, Changing Tomorrow, Together, invites exploration into a rich tapestry of engaging topics. Aligned in a shared mission for positive community transformation, the symposium delves into diverse subjects, navigating political dynamics, fostering cultural engagement, addressing equity and social risk, and unlocking the potential of AI and technology. The event will also include insightful site tours and a welcoming reception, providing exceptional networking opportunities for attendees. Sessions will encompass youth and multicultural engagement, community relations, as well as vital skills like strategic communications and conflict resolution. Secure your spot today for this transformative event, where collective wisdom converges to shape a resilient and sustainable future.

The 2024 New Zealand Symposium will be held in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Date: Thursday, 21 – Friday, 22 March 2024
Venue: Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre

Early bird registrations are now open! Secure your early bird ticket and find out more about the 2024 Symposium via our dedicated IAP2 Australasia New Zealand Symposium event site.

Early Bird Registration

Early bird registrations are now open!

Don’t delay in securing your registration. Save today by purchasing your Early Bird tickets!

  • IAP2 members: $800NZD
  • Non-members: $1,100NZD
  • Full time students: $150 NZD

All prices are in NZD and inclusive of GST. Member and non-member tickets include access to all Symposium sessions, as well as the Welcome Reception. Student tickets include access to all Symposium sessions.

Early bird pricing closes Friday, 23 February 2024.

Abstract Submission

From 5 December 2023, we will be accepting abstract submissions for the IAP2 Australasia New Zealand Symposium.

Explore the following themes as you shape your abstract submission, reflecting the primary areas of interest identified through valuable feedback within our profession. Tailor your submission with these central topics in mind, aiming to provide invaluable insights and fresh perspectives. 

  • Change Management and Political Dynamics
  • Cultural Engagement and Indigenous Perspectives
  • Practitioner and Community Wellbeing and Health
  • Equity and Decolonisation
  • Youth and Multi-cultural Engagement
  • Community Relations and Unhappy Communities
  • Peer Support and Experience Sharing
  • Facilitation and Conflict Resolution
  • Strategic Communications, Consultation and Managing Engagement Fatigue
  • Combatting Misinformation
  • Empowering Engagement Methods for Housing and Neighborhoods
  • Professional Development and Leadership
  • Citizen Involvement and Assemblies
  • Collaboration and Co-design
  • AI and Technology in Engagement
  • Utilising Data Collection for Informed Engagement Outcomes

We’re calling for abstracts that share examples of what’s working and what’s not working to encourage a rich debate and sharing of experiences at the IAP2 Australasia New Zealand Symposium.

We invite you to be part of this symposium by submitting an abstract. 

Presentation abstract submission is open to all professionals and academics working in community and stakeholder engagement; community members and representatives who have participated in engagement and those who are exploring engagement as part of our rapidly changing design, planning, service delivery and policy making environments.

Submissions are especially welcome from community groups and community organisations who can share what works for them, what doesn’t, and why their perspective is both different and important. Submissions from all sectors are welcome. Both new and emerging, and experienced engagement professionals are welcome to submit an abstract.

The abstract submissions will be reviewed and selections made by the Abstract Selection Committee.

Submissions will be prioritised based on the following criteria:

  • Content reflects current challenges, shows originality and is of interest to symposium participants.
  • References case studies to demonstrate effective engagement and challenges rather than promoting the success of a particular project.
  • Presentations focus on providing practical “take-home” tips and resources, rather than just theory.
  • The presenter can demonstrate the ability to effectively engage with an audience using their preferred presentation method.
  • The presenter can outline knowledge, experience and/or research in their subject area.

Submission Guidelines:

Submissions that do not follow the guidelines, are incomplete and those received after the due date will not be considered.

  • Submissions open 5 December 2023 and are to be made online via the IAP2A NZ Symposium Submission site: https://iap2a.smapply.io/
  • A blind review process will be used. Please ensure that presenter details (name or organisation) Is not included in your 500 word abstract outline.  Guidelines on how to use Survey Monkey Apply can be found here: https://smapply.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001445354-Applicant-FAQ
  • Submissions close Monday, 15 January 2024 at 5:00pm (NZDT).
  • Abstracts should be concise and no more than 500 words in length, and written in English with no references, figures or tables.  Alternatively, submissions can be presented in video format (up to 5 minutes in length).
  • Abstracts and presentations must be completely free of commercial bias or promotion.
  • Incorporates “lessons learned” in which there is open sharing of current challenges (for example; for the project, engagement team or those being engaged) and failures and “stuff-ups” – we know we learn when we are challenged and also by our mistakes!
  • Focuses on providing practical “take-home” tips and resources, rather than just theory.
  • An author is allowed to submit a maximum number of one abstract as presenting author but can be co-author in more than one abstract.
  • A confirmation email will be sent to confirm your abstract has been received.
  • Presenters are required to purchase a ticket to attend the symposium.
  • Some organisations may have difficulty accessing the SM Apply portal due to firewall or security settings. Speak to your IT department about granting access or use an alternative email address (such as a Gmail address) to receive validation emails from the system. This link also has some helpful tips: https://help.smapply.io/hc/en-us/articles/360007926353-TLS-Security-Updates
  • To maintain the integrity and quality of the program, each abstract must be accompanied with a brief outline of presentation experience (up to 200 words). As a blind review process will be used, please do not include your details (name or organisation) in your outline.

To assist in developing your submission, please consider the following feedback from previous participants who indicated they want: 

  • Deep dives with meaningful dialogue and learning, for example; master classes that take participants through the experience AND the skill building to enable them to effectively engage.
  • New tools, techniques and approaches using technology, tools, props or experiences that inspire, excite and most importantly leave participants with an expanded toolkit.
  • A choice of sessions from the emerging and new practitioner through to the experienced “old hand”.
  • Hands on, practical sessions on planning, with templates, tools, tips and practice – grounded in best practice and evidence-base.

We are also inviting organisations and groups to run site visits in the Christchurch area.

 

Submit your abstract.

FAQs

What is the length of time allocated to each session?

The program is yet to be defined, a rough guideline would be for each presentation to be 45 minutes in length, with an additional 15 minutes for question and answer. 

When and where is the Symposium?

Te Pae, Ōtautahi Christchurch, 21 – 22 March 2024

When will I hear if my abstract has been accepted?

By 25 January 2024

Do I need to purchase a ticket for the Symposium?

Yes, all abstract presenters are required to purchase a ticket to the Symposium. Co-presenters from community groups and organisations may be able to access a complimentary session-only pass for their presentation, upon request.

Can non-members of IAP2 Australasia submit an abstract?

IAP2 membership is not compulsory, however non-members will not have access to member discounted tickets. We encourage being a member to show support to IAP2. Learn more about membership at https://iap2.org.au/membership/

Important dates

  • Submissions open: 5 December 2023
  • Submission Close: 15 January 2024
  • Abstract Review: 16 January to 24 January 2024
  • Author Notification: 25 January 2024
  • Full Symposium Program published: February 2024
  • Full Presentation Due for review: 4 March 2024

Sponsorship

Are you looking to engage with over 14,000 of Australia and New Zealand’s best and brightest engagement professionals?

Do you want to have your brand associated with best practice in community and stakeholder engagement?

As a sponsor of the NZ Symposium, you can gain access to IAP2 Australasia’s rapidly growing network of enthusiastic and committed professionals who are increasingly becoming the key influencers and decision makers in government, business and industry.

Interested in sponsorship? Contact Matthew Buxton via matthew@iap2.org.au to find out more information.

That’s a wrap – past symposium events

Read about our past symposium events.

NZ Symposium 2019 – It’s a wrap!

NZ Symposium 2019 – It’s a wrap!

It was really quite satisfying to spend a couple of days with engagement colleagues growing our collective body of knowledge (matauranga) at our recent Symposium. The Matariki theme was focused on new beginnings and particularly relevant in that Christchurch is a city that has had more than its fair share of ‘engagement’ recently. Mostly due to the huge effort to help our people recover, rebuild and regenerate after a damaging series of earthquakes.

What you had to say

2019 New Zealand Symposium

“Loved the atmosphere and hearing discussions about a topic I am passionate about. It was inspiring and through this symposium I have made connections that I didn’t before.”

2019 New Zealand Symposium

“It was my first time attending the Engagement Symposium and it was awesome! Thank you for an enjoyable time of networking and learning :)”

2019 New Zealand Symposium

“The Symposium provided a really good forum for meeting other people, sharing ideas and issues, and we heard some different (and refreshing) perspectives on engagement theory and practice.”

2019 New Zealand Symposium

“The Turanga visit was a real highlight- not just the engagement planning story but to be sitting in the outcome of their engagement and hear about the impact on relationships and lesson learnt.”

 

2019 New Zealand Symposium

“It was great, very welcoming and positive.”

 

2019 New Zealand Symposium

“This symposium was both inspiring and challenging for me. I am still processing some of the information from the two days, but come away with lots of reflections of my own professional and personal practice when engaging with others.”

 

2019 New Zealand Symposium

“Great, loved it!! Learned so much I will come next year for sure. Great people, great info, great venue!!“

 

2019 New Zealand Symposium

“Fantastic event“