Why Christchurch?
AF2025 co-convenor Distinguished Professor Steven Ratuva of the University of Canterbury said: “It highlights New Zealand’s capacity, knowledge, and will to engage with adaptation. We have the University of Canterbury here, which is full of experts in climate science, the area of adaptation, the area of resilience.”
The ethos of the conference was reflected in the choice of conference venue: Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is a certified Toitū Net Carbon Zero venue with a broad range of sustainability initiatives to reduce waste and prioritise local sourcing. Its high-tech capabilities enabled AF2025 to model low carbon impact by offering both in-person and virtual participation, with around one in seven delegates joining online.
Additional transport emissions were avoided by Christchurch’s accessibility, with Te Pae within easy walking distance of hotels, restaurants and activities in the city centre.
AF2025 co-convenor Professor Bronwyn Hayward of the University of Canterbury added: “It’s been fantastic to be able to do this in a place that is walkable, that is green, that encourages sustainability.”
A range of Living Labs continued the learning outside the convention centre, with field-based experiences connecting global adaptation strategies with local action across the Waitaha Canterbury region, including coastal hazard planning, urban regeneration, and sustainable farming.
Facilitating Indigenous leadership
Hosting the event in New Zealand for the first time also provided an opportunity to focus on climate impact in the Pacific, with an emphasis on locally led solutions and Indigenous leadership.
Both Professor Steven Ratuva and Ngāi Tahu leader Lisa Tumahai were on the conference’s steering committee, influencing themes and content.
Tumahai led a pre-conference Indigenous leadership wānanga (forum), which brought together more than 300 participants from Aotearoa, the Pacific, Canada, and Africa to create space for Indigenous conversations and establish an Indigenous Adaptation Network.
“The outcomes and the richness of work feeding through to a work plan is an amazing bonus from this particular conference,” she said.
Indigenous leadership was also carried throughout the programme, with mana whenua Ngāi Tūāhuriri welcoming visitors with a traditional mihi whakatau. Keynote speakers included Tuvalu’s Minister for Climate Change and the President of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change. One of the Living Labs, a field trip to Ōnuku Marae, showcased Indigenous-led approaches to climate change adaptation and connection between mātauranga Māori (knowledge) and Western science.
Senior UN representative and WASP Chair Chizuru Aoki said: “New Zealand has a lot to offer in terms of how you work with Indigenous communities and integrate decision-making across the whole of society. That is very unique and something the world can learn from.”
Building a long-term legacy
Christchurch benefited far beyond the estimated $2.5M economic impact from visitors attending the conference.
The Ōtautahi Christchurch Adaptation Challenge will deliver a significant long-term legacy for the city. Building on the conference’s early career workshop, it calls on interdisciplinary teams of early career researchers from around the world to provide solutions to tackle some of Christchurch’s most pressing climate adaptation issues. The Chairs of Adaptation Futures 2025 alongside a representative of Christchurch NZ and the city Adaptation team, will select the best solutions which will be showcased in Christchurch later this year.
AF2025 also provided local academic and research communities with significant opportunities to highlight their research and forge new collaborations.
University of Canterbury’s Janik Haas noted: “We have a rich ecosystem – engineering schools, manufacturing industry, and sustainability leadership. We had many fruitful conversations with international colleagues in terms of joint publication ideas, and research project proposals.”
Local businesses focused on climate-positive technology and innovation were showcased in the conference’s exhibition area, gaining valuable connections and access to a global audience.
The Art of Climate Conversation, a series of public outreach performances, art exhibitions and workshops, also took place alongside AF2025, extending the power of storytelling throughout the wider community.
Hayward notes: “It’s been a very special experience… Mounting a large international event is quite daunting and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without ChristchurchNZ and Tourism New Zealand helping us navigate. It is truly a team and a city effort.”
Aoki concludes: “This has been a fantastic success. There is very good momentum, good enthusiasm, and solidarity among the so many partners on climate adaptation.”
For information on hosting your next conference in New Zealand, visit businessevents.newzealand.com