Info for attendees and speakers

We’re looking forward to seeing you in Ōtautahi Christchurch 24-26 June for SCANZ 2026!

This page brings together everything you need to know about the conference.

Programme

Please note, we have moved our schedule for Thurs 25 June to start earlier. Registration will now be open 8:15-8:45 and the programme will start at 8:45. The second day start time is still 8:30am.

At a glance:

• Pre-conference field trip - Wednesday 24 June, 1-3:30pm, Climate Action Campus (180 Avonside Drive, Avonside)

• Welcome networking night - Wednesday 24 June, 5:30-8pm, Astro Lounge (23 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch Central City)

• Conference - Thursday 25 - Friday 26 June, 8.15am - 5.30pm, Tī Kōuka room, Haere-roa (Level 1, 90 Ilam Road, Ilam)

• Storytelling night - Thursday 25 June, 7-9:30pm, Bentley’s Bar, Haere-roa (Level 2, 90 Ilam Road, Ilam)

venue information

The conference will be held in the Tī Kōuka room on Level 1 of the Haere-roa Student Union Building.

Registration will open at 8:15am on Thursday 25 June, with the conference starting at 8:45am sharp. You can collect your name badge at the welcome event on Wednesday morning.

Haere-roa is accessible by bus, bike, or car. Paid parking is available. See their website for details.

If you’d like to carpool, connect with others via our conference Slack channel (#scans26).

Pre-conference field trip and welcome event

Information about the pre-conference field trip to Climate Action Campus is available on this page.

Afterwards, meet us at Astro Lounge Bar for a drink and nibbles on us. This welcome function is open to our entire SCANZ community, whether you are attending the conference or not.

Note about finding Astro Lounge: The building out front says ‘Cookin’ with Gas’. Follow signs to “Astro Lounge” which will lead you down the right hand side of the building.

Storytelling night (open mic)

On Thursday evening (25 June), we’ll host an informal storytelling event at Bentley’s Bar. No slides or flash AV: just you and a mic. Each performer will get up to ten minutes to share a science story, poem, song, dance, or other creative act - or just sit back and enjoy the entertainment. 

Please note you will not be able to order food at Bentley’s, so please sort out dinner plans accordingly. We’ve pre-ordered a few pizzas to snack on, and drinks will be available via a cash bar, but unfortunately the bar won’t be able to take additional food orders.

Slack and social

We’ll be using Slack to keep in touch during the conference. Join our slack channel (#scanz26) to communicate with other attendees, post photos and contribute questions for our speakers. Don’t forget to introduce yourself!

Join here: tinyurl.com/scanz-slack26 

We’d love to see people posting about the conference on socials! Please tag us @SCANZ on LinkedIn and Facebook, and use the hashtag #SCANZ26

Online attendance

If you’re joining remotely, you should have received a Zoom link via email. If you haven’t, please email us at hello@scanz.co.nz right away.

Most sessions will be recorded and shared after the conference.

health and safety

If you’re feeling unwell, please stay home and join us online instead (check your emails - all conference attendees should have received the Zoom link just in case, but if you can’t find it, please email us).

As always, a gentle reminder to bring SCANZ tikanga into this space — to practise manaakitanga (inclusivity and respect), build whanaungatanga (connections and relationships), embrace ako (shared learning), and act with kotahitanga and kaitiakitanga (a shared purpose and care for each other and our environment). Check out our Code of Conduct.

photography and videography

SCANZ is working to enhance awareness of what we do, and the wonderful mahi of our members, sponsors and others who attend or present during our conferences and networking nights. As part of this we are increasing our library of images and video footage for use on our website and YouTube channel, and in our promotional material and social media posts. For these purposes, we will have a videographer and a photographer capturing the spirit of the conference through stills and film footage. This includes pre-conference activities on Wednesday 24 June and evening event on Thursday 25 June.

Lesley Stone (SCANZ Exec - interviews to camera, vox pops and highlights videography, and stills) and Nina McMillin (Nina McMillin Photography - stills) will be at the registration desk. Please let them know if you don’t wish to be photographed or filmed for the above SCANZ purposes. You can also let any of the people with “Kaiāwhina | Helper” on their lanyard know as well. Appearance Release Forms for the highlights film will be used for the interviews.

About our Name badges

As you’ll see, our name badges are pretty special. They were designed by SCANZ member Bec McMaster (ReMaster Agency) to spark conversation between conference attendees.

Each name badge includes a personalised “data portrait” based on the information you shared when registering. Your answers are plotted onto a circular design (inspired by the SCANZ logo), creating a visual snapshot of your background, work, and what you’re hoping to get from the conference.

The small labels on your badge reflect these categories (e.g. sector, role, mindset) — they’re mainly there as prompts to help you start conversations and find common ground with others.

No two badges are exactly the same, so they’re a simple way to spark connections and learn a bit about each other at a glance.

Tips for fist timers

• Registration can get busy in the first morning - try to arrive early or plan to pick up your lanyard at the Welcome function at Astro Lounge Bar.

• No dress code! Come as you are (most of us are pretty casual), or dress up if you like. If you have science-themed clothing, now would be a great time to show it off.

• We won’t be serving dinner - please plan accordingly.

• You’re welcome to bring your bag and leave it at the venue. On the first day, we’ll have a designated room for storage (locked/secure), but on the second day, you can leave it in the conference room.