Wellington, New Zealand, 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 will 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.
Trent Bruinsma, general manager of AST Management, provider of conference management services to ANZMHA, said the focus of the conference 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 grass-roots community health initiatives,” he said.
“Wellington had an exceptionally strong, integrated bid process which incorporated a well-connected destination familiarisation programme. This famil 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 programme, pre- and post-conference touring and partner programmes along with essential services like suitable and professional venues, caterers, audio visual services and exhibition suppliers.”
Business Events Wellington manager Loryn Blaikie added: “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.”
