Public
lectures
in Aotearoa

Upcoming talks at universities and institutions across Aotearoa. Free and ticketed events.

Research funding in Aotearoa New Zealand—Threats, trajectories, and the potential for transformation

Wellington

Details For many generations, Aotearoa has invested comparatively little, certainly by OECD standards, in research and development (R and D). Moreover, since 2020–21,...

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IN THE MEANTIME - Adapting to a more tribal, less rational world

Pastorius Waller Theatre, Suter Art Gallery, Bridge Street, Nelson

In today's world, we face five interconnected crises: eroding trust in institutions; decay at the institutional core; a civilisation so materially comfortable it had become complacent about the…

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Building Back Better: 15 Years of Earthquake Engineering Lessons from Christchurch

Engineering Core, University of Canterbury, Ilam, Christchurch FREE

Fifteen years after the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, UC engineers reflect on what they learned, what changed in global building codes, and what still needs to happen.

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A Painter, a Dentist and a lot of Ingenuity

Orientation Space, Ground Floor, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Join Shaun Higgins, Curator Pictorial here at Auckland Museum, to learn how in the midst of a World War II prisoner of war camp, an Australian prisoner of war was able to create stunning portraits of…

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Work-Integrated Learning Research: Transforming the Future of Practice

AUT City Campus, Auckland

The International Research Symposium is an international symposium organised by the World Association for Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education (WACE), in c

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School of Education research seminar: Professor Hella von Unger

Wellington

We invite you to join us for a seminar with visiting Professor Hella von Unger, from Munich. We will have tea/coffee together at...

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Big Tech: Too Big To Fail?

Sir Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland FREE

Inaugural Professorial Lecture: Alexandra Andhov

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Kia Tika, Kia Pono—For A Just Society

Wellington

In Aotearoa, we know very well what our most pressing problems are—poverty, inequity, ecological destruction, and climate change. But we are much less...

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Canada’s Perspectives on Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP, and International Indigenous Cooperation

Rosewood, 417 Queen Street, Kuripuni, Masterton

This month’s meeting will begin with a short AGM, comprising the Chairman’s Report, the Treasurer’s Financial Report, and an election for vacancies on the Committee.

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Philanthropy Along the Supply Chain

Wellington

Authors: Huu Nhan Duong, Emdad Islam, Lubna Rahman, and Cara Vansteenkiste Abstract Firms strategically use donations to trade partners’ affiliated charities to achieve...

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Ockham NZ Book Awards 2026 Longlist Celebration

Auckland Writers Festival Hub, Aotea Centre, Auckland $25 (includes welcome drink)

Join us to celebrate the announcement of the 2026 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards longlist, with readings from longlisted authors across all four categories.

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Welfare (1975) film screening

Gus Fisher Gallery, 74 Shortland Street, Auckland FREE

Join us for a film screening of Welfare, with an introduction by artist Rangi White in a discussion of Aotearoa's welfare bureaucracies

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Distinguished Lecture: The Brain in Pain — New Frontiers in Chronic Pain Research

Dunedin Public Hospital, Great King Street, Dunedin FREE

The annual Otago Distinguished Lecture in Medicine explores breakthrough research into the neuroscience of chronic pain and emerging treatments.

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Welfare (1975)

Gus Fisher Gallery, 74 Shortland Street, Auckland CBD FREE

For Tell us if something changes, artist Rangi White draws on the aesthetics of a Work and Income Office to consider how material and spatial conditions structure a person’s encounters with the…

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Writers & Readers: New Zealand Literary Identities

National Library of New Zealand, Molesworth Street, Wellington FREE

A conversation with three New Zealand authors about writing from the margins, finding a readership, and what it means to tell New Zealand stories in a globalised publishing market.

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New Zealand's Space Future: From Rocket Lab to National Strategy

E9 Lecture Theatre, Science Road, University of Canterbury, Christchurch FREE

An exploration of New Zealand's rapidly growing space sector, the science enabled by domestic launch capability, and the policy frameworks governing our use of space.

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Thin Ice 2026

Royal Society Te Apārangi, 11 Turnbull St, Thorndon, Wellington

An urgent update on our changing climate

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The Value of Hackathons

AUT City Campus, WG Building, WG308, Auckland

Discover the power of HackathonAn event for students curious about problem-solving, creativity and real-world impacts.Join us for an inspiring evening as we hig

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Global Tensions, Local Perspectives: Diaspora Communities in Uncertain Times

RH103, Rutherford House, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, 33 Bunny Street, Pipitea, Wellington

The NZIIA Wellington Branch Student Committee is delighted to welcome you to a panel discussion / Q&A about how diaspora communities worldwide and in New Zealand are grappling with the return of…

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2026 WSBG Climate Festival Fortnight

Wellington

Register hereWellington School of Business and Government (WSBG) at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is proud to support Wellington City Council’s first...

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Secrets of the Southern Ocean: Otago's Deep-Sea Research Programme

St David Lecture Theatre Complex, University of Otago, Dunedin FREE

Marine scientists share discoveries from recent voyages to the Southern Ocean, including new species, ecosystem dynamics, and implications for fisheries management.

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Fast Forward 2026: Transcolonisation! | Chelsea Winstanley ONZM

Design Lecture Theatre 423-348, 22 Symonds Street, Auckland FREE

Visual Sovereignty

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Arguing about morphemes

Wellington FREE

The School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies hosts weekly seminars featuring a selection of visiting researchers as well as those from the...

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In Conversation: The State of New Zealand Fiction

Wellington Central Library, 65 Victoria Street, Wellington FREE

A panel discussion with this year's fiction finalists exploring the themes, craft, and challenges of writing contemporary New Zealand fiction.

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Canterbury Water: Ecology, Irrigation, and the Future of Our Freshwater

von Haast Building, University of Canterbury, Christchurch FREE

Researchers and community voices discuss the competing demands on Canterbury's freshwater resources and what a sustainable future looks like for the region.

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Equity in Health: Progress and Challenges for Māori Wellbeing

Māori Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin FREE

A wānanga-style public discussion on the persistent health inequities facing Māori communities and what genuine system change would require.

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History Recovered: New Discoveries in the Alexander Turnbull Collection

National Library of New Zealand, Molesworth Street, Wellington FREE

Archivists and historians reveal recently catalogued items from the Alexander Turnbull Library collection, including previously unseen photographs and correspondence.

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Aviation Conversations

MOTAT, 805 Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland

Enjoy an evening in the Aviation Hall with a panel discussion exploring aerial mapping technology.

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Is there situational irony in satire?

Wellington FREE

The School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies hosts weekly seminars featuring a selection of visiting researchers as well as those from the...

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Te Tiriti Workshops: Listening attentively

Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable Street, Wellington

To mark the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi on 29 April 1840, join us for a free, educational, deep dive into Aoteaora New Zealand’s founding document.

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Ersha Island

Gus Fisher Gallery, 74 Shortland Street, Auckland CBD FREE

Printopia Festival —

Studio One Toi Tū, 1 Summer Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland

Printopia Festival returns for its fifth edition from 1–3 May 2026, celebrating contemporary printmaking across Aotearoa and the Asia Pacific.

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Curator talk – Standing tall: a century of the Clock Tower

University of Auckland General Library, 5 Alfred Street, Auckland FREE

Come join us for a captivating journey through time as we uncover the secrets behind the iconic Clock Tower in this curator talk!

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The Fall of Saigon - 50 years on

Havelock North Club, 4 Campbell Street, Havelock North

Mr Wilson is a former senior New Zealand diplomat, with a strong career background in Asia. The topic of his talk will be The Fall of Saigon - 50 years On.

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Women & Non-binary Artist Hui: Cyanotype Workshop —

Studio One Toi Tū, 1 Summer Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland FREE

In this cyanotype workshop you’ll discover how science and creativity can coincide. Experiment with exposure, shadow, and UV light to create your own unique print using natural materials gathered…

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NZ Podcasting Summit

AUT City Campus, WG Building,, Auckland

Calling all podcast producers, presenters, practitioners and providers from across Aotearoa… as well as the podcast curious. Join us for a full day of co

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NZIIA AGM and Annual Lecture 2026

Room 3, Mezzanine Level (RHMZ03), Rutherford House, 33 Bunny Street, Wellington, 6011 and Parliament Buildings (and online via Zoom)line, via Zoom)

NZIIA members are warmly invited to attend the national Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, followed by our annual lecture.

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Speech-language therapists can talk you into anything

FMHS Lecture Theatre, 505-007, Level 0, Grafton Campus, 85 Park Road, Auckland FREE

Professor Clare McCann's Inaugural Lecture

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Inaugural Lecture by Professor Jonathan Barrett

Rutherford House, Lecture Theatre 2 (RHLT2) Bunny Street, Pipitea Campus

Respecting equal human dignity: taxation and commercial law in the human rights stateProfessor Barrett’s research concerns the practical application of human rights, particularly...

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It’s the little things that count: lessons in metabolism, academia and life

SLT1 Lecture Theatre, 303-G01, Level 0, Science Centre, 38 Princes Street, Auckland FREE

Professor Jennifer Miles-Chan's Inaugural Lecture

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Sports Tech

MOTAT, 805 Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland

Find out what the future of fitness looks like with Sports Tech, a whole weekend of fun activities focused on the innovative world of sports technology.

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Tā: Siapo as a Living Practice —

Studio One Toi Tū, 1 Summer Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland

This two-day workshop introduces participants to the traditional art practice of siapo-making as a living practice.

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Mamalu – A Lineage Embodied —

Studio One Toi Tū, 1 Summer Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland FREE

This workshop centres the malu, the Samoan female tattoo, as a living archive of cultural knowledge and ancestral presence.

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Siva Mo Lou Soifua Manuia —

Studio One Toi Tū, 1 Summer Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland FREE

This workshop offers a nurturing journey into Siva Samoa, where movement supports wellbeing. Participants explore foundational Siva Samoa steps and their cultural meanings — gestures that honour…

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Kintsugi Workshop

Public Record, 17 Pitt Street, Auckland

Kintsugi (Modernised - Mending method / Art form)

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