Symposium - Call for Abstract Submissions
National Wetland Symposium 2027
Timaru 5-8 April
The New Zealand National Wetland Symposium is held every two years. The next symposium is in Timaru, April 5 – 8, 2027. Monday the 5th will be an afternoon of optional workshops, Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th the Symposium and Thursday 8th field trips.
The 2027 Wetland Symposium theme is “Ki Uta Ki Tai”, from the mountains to the sea, emphasizing connected catchments, landscapes, communities, and ecosystems. A logical flow to cover upland sources through wetlands to estuaries and coastal environments, while incorporating people, knowledge, and action.
The session themes are;
- Te Pūtake o te Wai – Headwaters and Catchment Origins
- Reading the Landscape – Wetland Formation, Function and Connectivity
- Mātauranga Māori and Ki Uta Ki Tai – Indigenous Knowledge for Integrated Management
- Wetlands as Nature’s Infrastructure – Water Quality, Flood Management and Climate Resilience
- Biodiversity Along the Continuum – From Upland Species to Estuarine Habitats
- Restoring Connections – Catchment and Wetland Restoration Success Stories
- Communities in the Catchment – People, Partnerships and Stewardship
- Innovation for Wetland Futures – Monitoring, Data and Emerging Technologies
- Ki Tai – Estuaries, Coasts and Blue Connections
- From Vision to Action – Delivering Ki Uta Ki Tai Outcomes
Submit your Abstract below before 18 December 2026. Successful Abstracts will be notified by the 29 January 2027.
The Symposium aims to provide a highly practical forum for knowledge exchange, training and networking for people committed to wetlands their research, restoration throughout New Zealand.
The symposium will be of relevance to community groups, care groups, iwi, landowners, students, professionals, researchers and businesses interested and involved in wetlands restoration and management.
Click on the button below to check out all the presentations available to download.
Keynote speakers
Registration fees (incl. gst)
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Standard $420
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Community group/ volunteer/student $150
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Field trip $70
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Conference Dinner $105
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NWT Membership - standard $45
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NWT Membership - unwaged $25
Our Sponsors
Reflection: 2024 Symposium - Paihia, Northland
The 2024 wetlands symposium was held in Paihia Northland in April. Almost 280 delegates from across New Zealand attended, representing agencies, councils, iwi, landowners, community groups, ecotourism businesses, consultants, researchers, educators and enthusiasts.
The Symposium themes cover the vital role of wetlands in providing life-supporting
ecosystem services across our regions, but also their grave threats in the face of climate
change and the actions we can take to help preserve and recreate them.
Participants shared learnings from some of the large initiatives that use wetlands as nature-based solutions to address environmental challenges. We also heard about smaller community led projects, and from the increasing number of iwi-led wetland restoration and re-creation projects underpinned by Mātauranga Māori, and gained greater insight into the cultural values of wetlands.
