The Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA), which represents zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks, and sanctuaries across Australasia, seeks to strengthen the industry's core foundations at its 2026 conference.
Taking place in Auckland, New Zealand, from 4 to 7 August 2026, the 2026 ZAA Conference will bring together over 150 professionals from across the region's zoo and aquarium sector, including leaders, animal care specialists, researchers, veterinarians, and government partners.
By offering a vital opportunity for partnership, knowledge sharing, and discussion of the industry's future direction, the event aims to promote long-term resilience, high standards of animal welfare, and ongoing conservation impact across zoos and aquariums in a quickly evolving world.
"The ZAA Conference is a vital opportunity for our members to come together, share knowledge, and refocus on the core principles that underpin our collective work," says a representative from ZAA.
"Strengthening these foundations ensures we continue to deliver strong outcomes for animal welfare, conservation, and education across the region."
Exploring engagement, conservation, leadership and more
The association's flagship event of the year, the 2026 ZAA Conference, will explore the theme Foundations First: Strengthening What Matters Most, with a focus on the essentials for zoos, aquariums, and wildlife parks operating in today's landscape.
See also: Conference wrap-up: ZAA 2025 – Towards 2050
Auckland Zoo is serving as the host institution for the event, which will be delivered in a hybrid format to enable both in-person and online participation. The conference will include several venues, with the icebreaker at Auckland Zoo on 4 August, followed by sessions at the Aotea Centre on 5 and 6 August.
Through plenaries, workshops, and panel discussions, these sessions will explore key topics such as conservation, animal welfare, biosecurity/HPAI, sustainability, leadership development, and engagement.
Keynote presentations from leading voices in the sector will open each day of sessions.
Alex Rodgers, regional director for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland at the Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai, will speak on the importance of reconnecting people with nature and its part in defining the future of conservation in New Zealand.
Additionally, Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana, a highly regarded tourism leader with more than 25 years’ experience in Indigenous tourism, destination stewardship, strategic planning, and engagement, will deliver a keynote examining purposeful Indigenous engagement.
On the final day, 7 August, optional visits to Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium and Butterfly Creek will offer attendees informal networking opportunities and behind-the-scenes experiences at top visitor attractions.
ZAA thanks Auckland Zoo for hosting and co-planning the event, as well as the sponsors and partners whose support makes the conference possible.
These include Auckland Zoo, New Zealand Tourism, Auckland Convention Centre, Auckland Unlimited, Advanced Aquarium Technologies, OCTA Project Management, Air New Zealand, Montana Group, Jet Pets, Maptivate, Wild Republic, Phoenix Mesh, Oceanis International, and blooloop.
Last summer, the 2025 ZAA Conference in Darwin, Northern Territory, explored the theme Towards 2050, and considered the future of the sector’s social license to operate, Indigenous engagement, animal ethics, sustainability, welfare, and conservation.
Rebecca Hardy has over 10 years' experience in the culture and heritage sector. She studied Fine Art at university and has written for a broad range of creative organisations including artists, galleries, and retailers. When she's not writing, she spends her time getting lost in the woods and making mud pies with her young son.
