View of Wellington from Kelburn_2010_Credit Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington Three major international conferences in marine biology, music, and network engineering are heading to Wellington in 2026–27, following a strategic collaboration between Business Events Wellington and Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, with support from Tourism New Zealand.
Business Events Wellington Manager Irette Ferreira said the wins reflect the city’s focus on aligning events with its research strengths: “Our close partnership with Victoria University has been the catalyst to getting these important conferences to the city.”
The International Symposium on the Ocean in a High-CO₂ World will be held at Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre in 2026, bringing global experts together to address ocean acidification and marine resilience. “This is the ideal time and location for world leaders in this field to collaborate,” said Dr Christopher Cornwall, Senior Lecturer in Marine Biology at VUW.
In 2027, the International Association for the Study of Popular Music Conference (IASPM) will showcase Aotearoa’s vibrant musical culture. “It’s an ideal opportunity to share our diverse music scene and celebrate the first cohort of the new Bachelor of Popular Music,” noted Dr Geoff Stahl, Director of Communication at VUW.
The International Conference on Advanced Information Networking and Applications (2026), hosted by Dr Winston Seah, will spotlight Wellington’s thriving tech sector and provide a platform for researchers advancing global networking innovation.
Tourism New Zealand’s Penelope Ryan said: “These wins highlight the strong connections between convention bureaus and innovation networks, bringing international thought leaders to New Zealand.”