The countdown is on for Conference 2026, to be held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland at Auckland University on Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 September.
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 Māori 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.
PROGRAMME
The full Conference Programme is now available, and can be downloaded here.
The Welcome Reception will take place on Friday 11 September, at Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre, 5 Carlton Gore Road, Grafton, starting at 6:30pm.
Saturday 12th September and Sunday 13th September will be held at Grafton Campus, University of Auckland, with registration starting at 8:00am. The outline programme is available here.
Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre will be hosting a workshop for Registered Music Therapists and student music therapists on the afternoon of Friday 11 September. The topic of the workshop is Pathways for Building Private Practice through Collaborative Relationships. Register here, or contact RMTC for more information: info@rmtc.org.nz.
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.
REGISTRATIONS
Registrations are now open at this link.
Conference fees are shown below:
| Early bird* (Early bird registrations close 30 June) | Full registration* | One day registration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Members | $395 | $450 | $230 |
| Non-members | $465 | $520 | $270 |
| Students | $175 | $225 | $120 |
Join MThNZ membership and pay member conference rates:
- Friend membership – $70
- Registered Music Therapist membership – $135
- Student – $10
AMTA members qualify for member rates.
*Humanitix ticketing fee is not included in these rates and is 3% of ticket cost + $0.30 per ticket. All Humanitix profits go to charity.
There is no cost for the Friday evening welcome event (registrations are being taken for catering purposes).
Registrations are being taken for the dinner on Saturday evening – this is for catering purposes only. Dinner costs are for individual payment to the venue and are not included in the conference registration fee.
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 to Grafton Campus – Newmarket, Parnell and Central Auckland are the closest suburbs.
Transport to Grafton Campus:
- Skydrive bus– direct to and from Auckland Airport and Sky City Bus Terminal, Hobson St, central Auckland
- Buses from central Auckland to University of Auckland Grafton Campus: use this journey planner. Note, campus is on Park Road, almost opposite Auckland Hospital and opposite the entrance to Cornwall Park.
- Uber
- Shuttles and taxis – usually available on demand at the airport. Super Shuttles have an airport licence – other shuttle companies are charged to enter the airport so might cost a bit more.
Parking: Parking is available at Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre, 5 Carlton Gore Road, Grafton, and on the surrounding roads.
SPONSORSHIP
We warmly invite you to weave connections with us and support our Conference 2026.
Sponsorship packages are available here, or get in touch to discuss a tailored option.
Some photos from Music Therapy NZ 50th Celebration Conference, 2024
