Public
lectures
in Aotearoa

1:00pm

Guided tour | Picasso: Designed by Paul Smith

Guided tour of the Picasso: Designed by Paul Smith exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.

2:00pm

Those Days of Clear Blue Green Skies

Exhibition pairing 1936 artworks by Rita Angus, Louise Henderson, and Julia Scarvell with contemporary responses exploring art, ecology, and belonging in Aotearoa.

2:00pm

Artists talk

Exhibiting artists Ken Faber and Lolani Dalosa discuss their creative processes and works with Artspace Assistant Curator Matthew Hanson.

time TBC

New Zealand Wars Gallery Talks

Commemorative gallery talks exploring the New Zealand Wars at Auckland Libraries.

9:00am

Treasury Guest Lecture with Professor Richard Baldwin

Professor Richard Baldwin examines how the world trading system is being rebuilt and its implications for New Zealand.

time TBC

Traditional Chinese medicine talk

Henri-Noël Venturini from Monshah Healing Arts presents on traditional Chinese medicine.

5:00pm

Bergquist Fellow Lecture: Professor Colin Brauner

Professor Colin Brauner discusses fish adaptation to aquatic environments and contemporary environmental change.

6:00pm

From Atarau to Rua

Twilight Tuesday

Dr Rowan Light and author Candice Tutauha launch the novel Rua, exploring connections between Taranaki history and the New Zealand Wars collections.

6:30pm

The 2026 Lucy Cranwell Lecture

Dr Jessica Beever explores Sphagnum moss and Lucy Cranwell's botanical research in the 2026 Lucy Cranwell Lecture.

1:00pm

Asian histories in Aotearoa collection highlights at Te Papa

Behind-the-scenes kōrero at Te Papa exploring taonga and stories from the collection publication Between Dreams: Resistance and Representation in Asian Aotearoa.

5:30pm

Why falling behind international peers in facing climate change will be expensive and catching up may become impossible

Dr Rod Carr examines why New Zealand's delayed adoption of low-emissions technologies exposes businesses and households to economic risks, and how to build a climate-resilient economy.

5:30pm

America After Trump: What will it mean for Asia and the World?

Zack Cooper, 2026 Sir Howard Kippenberger Visiting Chair, discusses changes in American foreign policy and implications for Asia and the world.

10:00am

Wham Bam Tauranga Poetry Slam

Twelve local poets compete in the sixth annual Wham Bam Tauranga Poetry Slam, a high-energy performance event celebrating original work across all styles.

time TBC

The food of WW1: Bully beef, biscuits and bullets

Exploration of the staple foods served to soldiers and personnel during World War I, including bully beef, biscuits, and military rations.

12:00pm

Your questions answered: understanding elections in New Zealand

Practical insights on New Zealand's electoral system and democratic engagement.

12:45pm

Curator insights: the fundamental practice

Auckland Art Gallery curator discusses curatorial practice and approaches to the gallery's extensive collection of New Zealand, Māori, Pacific, and European art.

2:00pm

Te Puna Haumaru Seminar Series - Crime science in an ageing world: Applying environmental criminology to financial elder abuse

Dr Emily Moir applies environmental criminology to financial elder abuse and misuse of power of attorney documents.

5:00pm

America After Trump: What will it mean for Asia and the World?

In his second term, President Donald Trump has taken a markedly less confrontational approach to China than in either his first term or the Biden administration.

4:00pm

Carnot Batteries and the Decarbonization of Coal Fired Power Plants

Carnot batteries—an emerging technology for cost-efficient electricity storage at gigawatt-hour scales—transform electricity into heat using molten salts or natural stones.

5:30pm

Exhibition opening—Sriwhana Spong: HA HA HA

Opening celebration of Sriwhana Spong's HA HA HA exhibition, featuring a performance with sculptural instruments inspired by Balinese gamelan.

10:00am

Mātātupu Mātauranga: Future Thinkers

A day of tours, workshops, and talks by and for youth exploring their role as future caretakers of nature.

11:00am

Opening weekend artist talk — Sriwhana Spong: HA HA HA

Artist Sriwhana Spong discusses her solo exhibition HA HA HA, spanning over a decade of practice with two new commissions.

3:30pm

Artist talk with Frances Libeau & Steve Lovett

Artists Frances Libeau and Steve Lovett in conversation, followed by a lecture from Welby Ings.

3:30pm

Frances Libeau & Steve Lovett with a lecture by Welby Ings

Artist Frances Libeau and Steve Lovett discuss her exhibition on the 1986 Homosexual Law Reform Act, followed by Professor Welby Ings on antigay rhetoric's human impact.

8:00am

Members' Curator's Tours of March of the Triceratops

Professor Anne S. Schulp leads members' curatorial tours of March of the Triceratops, exploring vertebrate palaeontology and the exhibition's international specimens.

3:00pm

Members' Curator's Talk: March of the Triceratops

Professor Dr. Anne S. Schulp presents how the March of the Triceratops exhibition came together in this exclusive members' curator talk.

time TBC

Star Canoes, Voyaging Worlds

A kōrero celebrating the enduring knowledge, practices and stories of Pacific voyaging and navigation.

3:00pm

China and the World Economy

Lecture tracing China's economic evolution over seven decades, examining its integration into the global economy, industrialisation, technological innovation, and role in multilateral institutions.

time TBC

Jennifer Gini

Author Talks

Author Jennifer Gini discusses her book Growing Old Delightfully.

5:00pm

China and the World Economy: Integration, Industrialisation, Innovation and Institutions

Dr Xianbai Ji examines China's role in the global economy through integration, industrialisation, innovation, and institutional frameworks.

6:00pm

Love letters to the ‘burbs: Five architects and enthusiasts pitch parts of Auckland – Session II

Five architects and enthusiasts pitch their favourite Auckland suburbs in rapid-fire talks, each with 10 minutes and 10 slides.

12:00pm

Warming the Whare: Decolonising approaches to advancing trans inclusion in perinatal healthcare

Alex and Katie share lessons from implementing trans-inclusive practices in perinatal mental health services through a decolonising lens.

6:00pm

Author talk and book launch: Liv Sisson – Butterflies and Moths of Aotearoa

Liv Sisson discusses her new book Butterflies and Moths of Aotearoa, exploring their ecology, conservation, and the roles they play in New Zealand's ecosystems.

time TBC

A celebratory re-unveiling of Reflections on the Shore

Celebratory re-unveiling of textile artwork by local artist Priscilla Shirer, with artist talk and community celebration.

10:00am

Free self-guided Squiggla drop-ins

Drop in and experience our self-guided Squiggla creativity sessions. Get ready to exercise and embrace your creative thinking with friends and whānau.

11:00am

Coffee & Croissants: Miles Warren's watercolours

Curator John Walsh discusses Miles Warren's watercolours (1949–2007) and what they reveal about the architect's life and practice.

time TBC

Jodie Shelley

Author Talks

Jodie Shelley discusses her self-published writing journey and the evolution of her three works.

time TBC

In conversation with Fa’amele Etuale and Lema Shamamba

Fa'amele Etuale and Lema Shamamba share insights on a topic of cultural or artistic significance in conversation at Auckland Libraries.

time TBC

Te Papa Foundation Online Auction

Support your national museum with the 2026 Te Papa Foundation’s Online Auction.

4:45pm

The Pōhutukawa Model: Classroom Conversations About Death

Elisabeth Price leads a seminar on The Pōhutukawa Model, exploring classroom conversations about death through an arts and social transformation lens.

5:30pm

Hamilton Public Lecture

Hamilton Public Lecture

What can dancing bodies teach us about belonging, environmental and climate change, and the futures we are creating together?

6:00pm

The Wondrous World of Butterflies and Moths

Twilight Tuesday

Best-selling author Liv Sisson launches her book on Aotearoa's butterflies and moths, with specimens from Auckland Museum's Entomology collection.

7:15pm

Ockham Lecture with Matthew Galloway: The World is a Designed Landscape

Matthew Galloway examines the world as a designed landscape—how nearly every site, system, and surface reflects human thought and design intent.

12:00pm

Lot 206: Human Remains in the British Art and Antiquities Trade

Human remains in the British art and antiquities trade, examining their cataloguing and sale alongside cultural artefacts.

2:00pm

Heritage Highlights: Stories behind the stories - Gavin Bishop

Celebrated local author Gavin Bishop shares the inspiration and stories behind his award-winning children's books.

4:30pm

JD Stout Annual Lecture 2026

Annual JD Stout Lecture hosted by Victoria University of Wellington.

5:30pm

Left Behind Is a Sales Technique

Julia Pahina and Eteroa Lafaele of Fibre Fale AI examine how fear and urgency are weaponised in AI adoption, and how leaders can make independent decisions.

time TBC

The man you choose to be

Free Movember event celebrating young men with honest and thought-provoking discussion.

5:30pm

2026 Foreign Film Evening @ Lighthouse Cuba

Private screening of Pavel Pawlikowski's Fatherland with introductions by German and Polish ambassadors before the film.

6:00pm

Publication launch: The Purpose of the Space Is What It Does: Five Notes from Aotearoa

Publication launch celebrating arts practitioners across Aotearoa constructing space on their own terms, initiated by Jingcheng Zhao.

10:45am

Delirious New Lynn: The walking tour with Oscar Mardell

Oscar Mardell leads a walking tour exploring his book Delirious New Lynn, riffing on notable sites and cultural history in his home suburb.

time TBC

Lloyd Jones and Carrie Tiffany

Award-winning writers Lloyd Jones and Carrie Tiffany discuss their work in conversation with Catharina van Bohe at Auckland Libraries.

time TBC

Coast Death Café

An informal gathering for open discussion about death, mortality, and related experiences.

time TBC

Sizhu in the verdant spring

Exploration of traditional Chinese music (sizhu) and instruments, revealing the cultural and artistic depth of this musical tradition.

12:00pm

Becoming Moral in Sri Lanka: The Intergenerational Transmission of Emotions in Cultivating Moral Personhood

Asha explores how morality is cultivated through emotions and the intergenerational transmission of moral personhood in Sri Lankan socialization practices.

9:00am

11th AUT Mathematical Modelling and Analytics Symposium - November 2026

AUT's 11th Mathematical Modelling and Analytics Symposium brings together researchers and practitioners in mathematical modelling and analytics.

9:00am

Paramedicine Research Day 2026

AUT's second annual Paramedicine Research Day showcases research, discussion, and innovation in paramedicine practice and education.

4:00pm

Michael Volkerling Memorial Lecture 2026: Artificial Intelligence, Memory and Culture: crossroads and cul-de-sacs

Professor Areti Galani explores how AI technologies are reshaping communication, memory, and cultural practices.

4:00pm

Michael Volkerling Lecture: Artificial Intelligence, Memory and Culture: crossroads and cul-de-sacs

Professor Areti Galani examines AI's role in heritage practices, exploring whether museums should embrace or resist artificial intelligence technologies.

3:00pm

Address by Paul Conway

Paul Conway, Chief Economist at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, addresses economic topics at the NZIIA.

6:00pm

What writing do we need? New Commissions Writers publication launch

Panel discussion launching five new texts of cultural criticism with writers Anoushka Coutler, Rahul Hendriksen, Ruby Macomber, Kieran Mclean, and Roro.

12:30pm

The Evolution of Time Preference in Hunter Gatherer Societies

Professor Arthur J. Robson examines how time preference evolved in hunter-gatherer societies and its implications for economic behaviour.

9:00am

Counting What Counts: Comparative Conversations on Intellectual Property

Intellectual property academics, practitioners and policy professionals explore the quantitative dimensions shaping IP law and policy.

10:00am

Energy Centre Seminar: The Fragility of Collie’s Just Transition

Study of union-led just transition efforts in Western Australian energy generation, examining worker gains and their fragility under capital and state control.

6:00pm

Frank Ashwood

Author Talks

Soil ecologist Frank Ashwood explores the hidden life of soil, its diverse ecosystem, and why protecting it is urgent for human survival.

6:00pm

The science behind the 2026 Nobel Prizes in Medicine, Chemistry, and Physics

Three Victoria University researchers explore the science behind the 2026 Nobel Prizes in Medicine, Chemistry, and Physics.

time TBC

Lecture by Assistant Curator Matthew Hanson

Deep Dive

Assistant Curator Matthew Hanson shares ideas and evidence from Kaiāwhina Whakaaturanga in this deep-dive lecture.

5:30pm

It’s the little things that count: lessons in metabolism, academia and life

Professor Jennifer Miles-Chan delivers her Inaugural Lecture exploring lessons found at the intersection of metabolism, academia, and everyday life.

6:00pm

Lecture by Kaiāwhina Whakaaturanga Assistant Curator Matthew Hanson

Deep dive

Assistant Curator Matthew Hanson explores the ideas and artists behind the exhibition Group Admits Mistake.

2:00pm

Remembering the Leadership of Helen Kelly

Seminar reflecting on the leadership and legacy of Helen Kelly, former Council of Trade Unions president.

10:00am

Tapa: Pacific Histories in Cloth - Art, Making, and Community

A day of making, performance and community activations celebrating tapa and Pacific bark cloth traditions, marking the launch of a new Te Papa Press publication.

5:30pm

Wellington Development Studies Alumni Supper with special guest speaker

Reconnect with classmates and colleagues at our Development Studies Alumni Supper, coinciding with the 2026 DEVNET Conference, hosted at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University...

time TBC

Lecture: Monuments

International curator explores monuments in this Creative New Zealand Te Manu Ka Tau guest lecture.

5:30pm

Lecture: Monuments with Hamza Walker

International curator Hamza Walker examines monuments and historical narratives in this concluding lecture for Artspace Aotearoa's 2026 programme.

2:00pm

On ecological innovation: a panel discussion

Artists and academics Xin Cheng, Mark Harvey, and Samantha Ladewig discuss ecological innovation in an interdisciplinary panel at Gus Fisher Gallery.

2:00pm

On ecological innovation

Artists and academics explore how creative and scientific practices foster meaningful environmental encounters through ecological innovation.

5:30pm

S.T. Lecture in Antarctic Studies 2026

Associate Professor Cassandra Brooks presents the annual S.T. Lee Lecture in Antarctic Studies.

5:45pm

Taxation & Deglobalisation

Professor Reuven Avi-Yonah explores taxation and deglobalisation in this Faculty of Law Dean's Distinguished Speaker Series lecture.