The International Society for Urban Health’s (ISUH) flagship conference has the goal of transforming urban environments to improve health, equity, and environmental sustainability in cities worldwide. It will take place at Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre in November 2025.
The bid for the event was led by an award-winning research centre the New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities, based on the University of Otago’s Wellington campus. It was supported by Business Events Wellington and Tourism New Zealand Business Events.
Distinguished Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman, Director of New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities, Department of Public Health, University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka says: “We are delighted to announce that the 2025 International Society of Urban Health Conference will be held at Tākina, our new state of the art, 5-star Green Star conference centre on the harbour in Pōneke, Wellington, the capital city of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
“We are planning an exciting and stimulating conference looking at urban design, indigenous and public housing, climate change, sustainable transport and inclusive neighbourhoods.”
“Wellington provides an unparalleled opportunity for our delegates to engage with the pressing urban health issues facing New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific islands.”
The conference will bring together researchers, academics, policymakers, philanthropists and the nonprofit sector to further health and well-being research and policy.
Giselle Sebag, Executive Director of the ISUH, adds: “As the first ICUH conference to be held in the Oceania region, Wellington provides an unparalleled opportunity for our delegates to engage with the pressing urban health issues facing New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific islands. It’s not just about bringing our conference to a new region — it’s about connecting our international community with a city that is at the forefront of global urban health innovation.”
Business Events Wellington Manager Irette Ferreira says: “It’s exciting to welcome this important international event to Wellington and Tākina. Aside from the economic benefit to the city, estimated at $1 million, hosting a conference on urban health aligns extremely well with Wellington’s Economic Wellbeing Strategy to create a thriving suburban city.”
Tourism New Zealand Global Manager Business Events Penelope Ryan adds: “Conferences like these are win-win for New Zealand. Our country benefits from an influx of international visitors in the off-peak season and is enriched by the knowledge they bring, while the delegate visitors can enjoy both the beauty of Wellington and learn from its innovative research.”
