Wellington has been selected to host the 2028 Asian-Australasian Congress of Neurological Surgeons (AACNS), a major international event expected to draw up to 1,000 delegates.
Led by Aotearoa Neurosurgeons New Zealand with support from Business Events Wellington and Tourism New Zealand Business Events, the successful bid highlights the country’s strengths in neurosurgery and the appeal of the new Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Co-conveners Kelvin Woon and Agadha Wickremesekera said: “It’s an honour and privilege to host such a prestigious meeting, the AACNS 2028, here in Wellington. This event presents a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and address common challenges in the global neurosurgical community.”
The congress will showcase New Zealand’s neuroscience expertise and aims to address critical issues such as the country’s low neurosurgeon-to-population ratio—currently 0.49 per 100,000—and the lack of neurosurgical services in the Pacific.
“Attracting this congress to New Zealand’s capital city, where there is the potential to engage with policymakers and key decisionmakers to address some of the challenges facing this sector, was a huge motivator,” said Irette Ferreira, Manager at Business Events Wellington.
Tourism New Zealand’s Penelope Ryan added: “Hosting this congress will increase international visitors, while leaving a longer-term legacy for the benefit of New Zealanders and our Pacific neighbours.”