Music Therapy New Zealand Conference 2026 | Registered Music Therapists

The countdown is on for Conference 2026, to be held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland at Auckland University on Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 September. Keynote speakers to be announced soon.

The Conference theme, Te Poutama Hononga: Weaving Connections, celebrates the art of weaving together people, stories, and music, creating patterns of understanding, and community. The te reo name, gifted by Matua Sonny Niha (University of Auckland Centre for Brain Research) means “the connected journey of achievement and progress”. Each thread represents a unique experience or voice, and through the process of weaving diverse strands, new relationships and meanings emerge.

CONFERENCE ARRANGEMENTS

Venue: The Conference will be held at Grafton Campus, University of Auckland, Tāmaki Makaurau.

Dates: Saturday 12th and Sunday 13 September

Welcome function: Evening of Friday 11th September, at Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre

Friday workshop: There will be a workshop organisated by and held at Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre, on the afternoon of Friday 11th September

Conference Dinner: Evening of Saturday, 12th September

Accommodation: There are many hotels close by Grafton Campus – Newmarket and Parnell are within walking distance.

KEYNOTE PRESENTERS

Topic: Mauri Tui Tuia Creative Therapies New Zealand

Topic: Taonga Ihi Orooro – Māori Sacred Sound Healing.

Dr Waireti will also present a workshop on Sunday 13 September.

CALL FOR PRESENTERS AND PERFORMERS

The closing date for submissions of presentations for Conference 2026 has now passed. Thank you to all who have submitted abstracts – these are currently under review by the Selection Committee. The Committee will aim to finalise the programme by 1 May. Advice will be sent out as soon as possible after this date.

Any queries may be addressed to the Administrator: admin@musictherapy.org.nz.