NZAA Annual Conference 2026
2026-06-29 - 2026-07-02 | Takahanga Marae, Takahanga Terrace, Kaikōura, New Zealand
Image credit: Haylee Tehuia-Claxton The 2026 New Zealand Archaeological Association Conference will be held at Takahanga Marae, Kaikōura from Monday 29 June – Thursday 2 July.
The theme for the conference is “Mahi Tahi – Working Better Together”
Venue
Takahanga Marae, Takahanga Terrace, Kaikōura.
Takahanga Marae is the standing place of our hosts, Ngāti Kurī , and though the marae recently celebrated its 30 year anniversary, Takahanga Pā was built centuries ago by Ngāti Māmoe. The marae, buildings, and grounds are wāhi tapu. The documentary “The bones of our past” records the process of the construction of the marae, and can be watched here.
Registration
Conference registration is now open. Registration closes 21 June 2026. Register Here
Accomodation
Staying at the Marae
Some conference attendees may choose to stay overnight at the marae during the conference. The wharemoe will be available for shared-space sleeping of up to 60 individuals. Staying overnight at the marae is $17 per night per person, or $65 for the conference duration. Students/unwaged may stay free of charge You may select this option if you purchase a Student/Unwaged registration ticket. Priority will be given to students if demand is high.
Mattresses are available, but guests will have to supply their own sleeping bag/duvet, pillows, towels, toiletries, slippers, bed sheets and pillowcases.
Please see Takahanga Marae’s info sheet for further information about staying overnight at the marae, or please contact Emily Howitt (Emily.Howitt@nzarchaeology.org) if you need more information.

Call for Paper Submissions
We invite proposals for paper presentations. We welcome papers on the conference theme, as well as general papers. Depending on the number of accepted papers, presentations will be between 15 and 20 minutes long. Note that there will be no concurrent sessions, so please get in early if you wish to secure a spot in the programme. If you would like to propose a special session, please contact Paper Coordinators Tristan Wadsworth (papers@nzarchaeology.org) before 5.00pm Friday 15 May. Session chairs will be responsible for organising the submission of paper proposals in their sessions. For paper proposals please email papers@nzarchaeology.org with the following information:

Contact details for the corresponding author (the person who will receive all communication – regarding the presentation).
Name and affiliation of all authors.
Paper title – should be no more than 20 words.
Abstract – no more than 250 words (no images).

Posters must be A1 or A2 size. Please email the author names, poster title and an 80 – 100 words.
All presenters must register for the conference to be included in the programme. Presenter registration including payment of the registration fee must be completed no later than 21 June 2026.
Programme
Monday 29 June:

Registration opens 8:00am
Pōwhiri at Takahanga Marae
Paper sessions
Evening welcome event at Groper Garage, Kaikōura

Tuesday 30 June:

Paper sessions
Poster session
Evening public talk at the Mayfair Theatre, Kaikoura

Wednesday 1 July:

· Field trip – Guided bus trip to several sites along the Kaikoura Coast, including a pā on the Kaikōura peninsula, the South Bay whaling station, Hinerongo Memorial, Paparoa Point, Ohau, and Fyffe House. Though there will be several stops, travel time is expected to total approximately 1 hr 45 mins on the bus.

Thursday 2 July:

Paper sessions
NZAA AGM
Evening gala dinner at Donegal House, Kaikōra

Full Conference Programme
Public Archaeology Award 2026: Call for Nominations
This year NZAA will be awarding the Public Archaeology Award at the annual conference. The award is open to members of NZAA and the wider community, including individuals, groups and organisations (for example, territorial authorities and iwi).
The following factors are considered:

contribution to the identification, protection and preservation of archaeological sites,
contribution to the enhancement of public awareness and enjoyment of, and education about, archaeological sites or archaeology in general,
contribution to the strengthening of the relationship between the archaeological community and Māori, and
any other relevant information.

Nominations should be sent to the NZAA secretary (secretary@nzarchaeology.org) by 5.00pm 22 May 2026. The award recipient will be announced at the conference gala dinner on Thursday 2 July.
Key Dates

Call for papers and posters: 16 March 2026
Conference registration opens online: 27 April 2026
Early bird registration closes: 17 May 2026
Closing date for papers and poster submissions: 17 May 2026
Confirmation of programme: end of May 2026
Online registration closes: 21 June 2026
