NZATE Conference 2026
Tauranga
6th-8th July
Venue: Mount Maunganui College
The whakataukī “Ka ngaro, ka ngaro; ka ea, ka ea” reminds us that while the waves may temporarily obscure the rock, it always rises again. Like Tirikawa, we too face tides of challenge: curriculum, shifting expectations, and the ever-evolving landscape of teaching and learning. At times these waves may feel relentless, yet they also shape our strength.
This year’s conference invites us to reflect on what it means to stand firm in our purpose as educators of English. To hold fast to the power of language, literature, and storytelling while continuing to adapt, grow, and rise above the challenges before us.
Together, we gather to share ideas, support one another, and renew our commitment to the work we do. Like Tirikawa, we remain steadfast, grounded in our values, resilient in the face of change, and always rising again.
Keynote
Speakers
Becky Manawatu
Tiki Taane
Dominic Hoey
Falstaff Dowling-Mitchell
Whiti Hereaka
Workshop Proposals
We are now inviting proposals for conference workshops. The best professional development available to us as teachers is hearing and learning from others. If you, or your department, are doing something innovative, interesting or inspiring, conference is your opportunity to share. Submissions for workshop proposals will close Monday 11th May.
Submit your workshop proposals here.
If you are submitting a workshop as a representative of a for-profit business or organisation, please contact nzateconference@nzate.org.nz directly to discuss your proposal.
Key Note Speakers
2026 conference
Dr Ruby Solly (Waitaha, Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe) is a poet, taonga pūoro practitioner, artist, and doctor of public health living in Wellington. Her last book, ‘The Artist’ (2023) is a genre-bending verse novel that tells the histories of the various iwi of Te Wai Pounamu. Her first book ‘Tōku Pāpā’ (2020) is an exploration on father daughter relationships and intergenerational transmission in te ao ao Māori.
As a taonga pūoro practitioner, she works across composition, performance, and therapeutic roles.
Michael Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue) is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, and author. His documentary The Confessions of Prisoner T helped overturn Teina Pora’s wrongful conviction, leading to his exoneration. He later directed a TV film on the case and wrote In Dark Places, winning Best Non-Fiction at the Ngaio Marsh Awards.
His novel Better The Blood won Best First Novel at the Ngaio Marsh Awards 2023, with sequels Return To Blood (2024) and Carved In Blood (2025). He is Co-Curator Māori for the Auckland Writers Festival.
Steph Matuku (Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Mutunga) is an award-winning author of stories for young people. She has written eight books, including Flight of the Fantail, Falling Into Rarohenga, and Migration for young adults, the Whetū Toa junior fiction series, and picture books The Eight Gifts of Te Wheke and The Dream Factory.
Three of her books have been translated into te reo Māori, two were finalists in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, and six were Storylines Notable Books.
Markus Zusak is the award-winning author of six books, including the international bestseller The Book Thief, translated into over 40 languages and adapted into a major motion picture. His other works include The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, When Dogs Cry, The Messenger, and Bridge of Clay—a sweeping family saga of five brothers.
Zusak lectures globally, sharing insights into his writing journey and the craft behind his acclaimed novels. He grew up in Sydney, Australia, where he lives with his wife and two children.
Programme
The programme can be accessed at: NZATE Conference 2025 – Schedule
Workshops
See your emails for instructions on how to sign up for workshops
Dinner
Thursday Night Conference dinner (note venue change)
The dinner venue for Thursday night has changed to the nearby Wintergarden Room at the Civic Theatre (269-287 Wellesley Street West). The Civic, with its opulent Rococo-style interior, was built in 1929 as the first purpose-built cinema for ‘talkies’ in New Zealand and was restored in the 1990s.
Doors will open from 6.30pm. We are looking forward to a delicious menu from Urban Gourmet Catering and a bit of a boogie to our live band, Coco Rocky.
Social Events
Tuesday evening drinks
Join us for pre-conference drinks on Tuesday from 5pm-6.30pm at the Occidental Belgian Beer Huis, right after early registration. If you’d like to stay on and eat dinner, they recommend booking for 6.30pm.
Wednesday evening quiz
English teachers love a quiz night! We have booked out the Garden Room at the Empire Tavern from 5pm-7pm. There’ll be some yummy nibbles to share. You can RSVP your attendance when you select your workshops.
Accommodation
NZATE Conference 2025: Breath of Change is in the heart of Auckland City at AUT. There are plenty of local accommodation options, and the venue is close to public transport options if you are coming from further out.
However, if you are looking for a nearby accommodation option, here are some discounted options:
→ Four Points by Sheraton Auckland is offering a discounted accommodation rate. You can read about the offer and how to book here.
→ Quest on Queen, 62 Queen Street, is offering a 10% corporate discount for bookings between the 2nd and 5th of July, when booking through their website: https://www.questapartments.co.nz/properties/north-island/auckland/quest-on-queen. You will need to select CODE TYPE “discount code” before inputting NZATE to obtain this discount.
→ Quest Auckland Serviced Apartments, 363 Queen Street, is offering a further 5% discount on their rates with the code NZATE25 when booking directly through their app or website. This is only applicable to studio/executive studio and one bedroom apartments only.
→ Holiday Inn Express is offering a Preferred Partner Rate discount of 15% using this link: NZATE – Holiday Inn Express (then click ‘View Prices’)
→ Ibis Budget is offering a 15% discount using this link: https://accorevents.com/offers/nzate25
