Home NEWS Wellington wins Indigenous Wellbeing Conference for 2027

Wellington wins Indigenous Wellbeing Conference for 2027

The conference is expected to attract up to 400 delegates

Oct 15, 2026

business_events_wellington — Photo: Business Events Wellington

Wellington will host the Indigenous Wellbeing Conference (IWC) in 2027, a leading annual gathering dedicated to Indigenous-led approaches to wellbeing, grounded in culture and community.

The conference is expected to attract up to 400 delegates from across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands to Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, 10 – 12 October 2027.

Hosted by the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association (ANZMHA), the conference centres Indigenous voices, knowledge systems, and lived experience, creating a space to explore what wellbeing looks like in practice across health, mental health, education, justice, community services, culture, policy and beyond. The bid was supported by Business Events Wellington and Tourism New Zealand Business Events.

Business Events Wellington Manager Loryn Blaikie says: “This is a great win for Wellington, highlighting the easy access to innovative content and inspiring experiences in the city that will add value to the conference experience. Our support included integration with iwi, local associations, and academia, as well as showcasing authentic opportunities for cultural immersion, from marae visits to Waka experiences and local tours of Pōneke, Wellington’s indigenous landscape.”

Trent Bruinsma, General Manager of AST Management, provider of conference management services to ANZMHA, says: “New Zealand has always been an extremely important part of this conference. The conference focuses on highlighting the incredible work being done in indigenous communities in Australia, New Zealand, and the broader Pacific region. This conference is designed to feature and highlight the hard work being undertaken in the areas of academia, research, public and private practice case studies and examples, and grassroots community health initiatives.”

“Wellington had an exceptionally strong, integrated Bid process which incorporated a well-connected destination familiarisation program. This familiarisation was extremely well thought out, incorporating connection to and immersion into culture, making contacts with locally based subject matter experts, providing rich options for the social and wellbeing program, pre- and post-conference touring and partner programs along with essential services like suitable and professional venues, caterers, audio-visual services and exhibition suppliers.”

Dr Grant Davidson, Chief Executive of Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network, adds: “We are delighted to see the Indigenous Wellbeing Conference coming to Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. Wellington is home to Aotearoa New Zealand’s Parliament, making it easy to access decision-makers. I look forward to the legacy that holding the conference will bring to indigenous peoples from around the world.”

For more information about Business Events Wellington, visit WellingtonNZ.com/meet.