Public
lectures
in Aotearoa
Upcoming talks at universities and institutions across Aotearoa. Free and ticketed events.
No lectures found.
Tomorrow
Food Histories: A Community Conversation
Community panel discussion exploring how recipes across generations carry stories of tradition, migration, resilience, and cultural identity in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Culinary adventures
Food writer Lauraine Jacobs MNZM explores Aotearoa's culinary heritage and how eating habits, producers, and recipes have shaped national identity.
Reflections on Auckland's volcanic landscape
Heritage landscape architect Stephen Brown examines Auckland's volcanic landscape history, pā sites, and the ongoing fight to protect volcanic viewshafts and sightlines.
Onehunga Fencible & Historical Society Talk
Members of the Onehunga Fencible and Historical Society present an illustrated talk on Samuel and Matilda Furley, 19th-century shopowners and their cross-cultural trade practices.
Why Go? Thoughts and Reflections from the Learning from Venice Workshop
A talk reflecting on insights and lessons from the Learning from Venice Workshop, exploring curatorial and artistic perspectives.
Hamilton Public Lecture
Hamilton Public Lecture
A public lecture on planning for risk, resilience and adaptation in the face of extreme weather events.
Panel Discussion: Jesus and politics
Panel explores the relationship between Christian faith and political engagement, prompted by recent public statements on religion in politics.
Wednesday 7 October
Crops that shaped the Rodney District
Lyn Wade explores fruit-growing as a defining industry in the Rodney District, tracing orchardists like the Morrisons and the crops that shaped the region.
Pīkau ki Tua: from ancestral baby carrying to an Indigenous philosophy of care
Arianna Waller explores pīkau ki tua, tracing ancestral baby-carrying practices to a broader Indigenous philosophy of care and wellbeing.
Webinar: so your pet needs anaesthesia
Webinar answering questions about anaesthesia for pets.
Owen Woodhouse—an unlikely revolutionary?
Professor Jim McAloon examines Owen Woodhouse (1916–2014) and his unlikely revolutionary impact in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Ata Mai: Perceptions and Interpretations of Art and Response
Spoken word poet Dietrich Soakai performs work on Pasifika identity in response to Made in the Pacific exhibition, accompanied by musician Vai Punivai.
The search for Ruamāhanga – the latest news from Fireballs Aotearoa
Steve Wyn-Harris reports on the discovery and recovery of meteorite fragments from the spectacular 28 July fireball seen across Kāpiti and Tongariro.
Thursday 8 October
Ladies, A Talk: An Evening with Alexa Johnston
Author Alexa Johnston discusses the history of New Zealand home baking, kai, and iconic treats featured in her books 'Ladies, a Plate' and 'A Second Helping'.
Returning home: Writing the Filipino experience
Monica Macansantos discusses writing about Filipino identity, family, and cultural experience through her memoirs and essays.
Inaugural lecture by Professor Sue Cherrington
Professor Sue Cherrington's inaugural lecture as Professor of Early Childhood Education at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
AKL Book Launch: Meditations of a Landscape Architect by David Irwin
David Irwin launches Meditations of a Landscape Architect, a collection of essays and photographs spanning four decades of landscape design practice.
Friday 9 October
Colombia–Aotearoa: Shared Heritage
Open gathering on immigration and shared heritage, where Colombian and Aotearoa communities share personal stories and cultural traditions.
A curator's introduction to Picasso: Designed by Paul Smith
Dr Sophie Matthiesson introduces Picasso's life, art, and influence through the lens of Paul Smith's design collaboration.
SLC Research Seminar Series – Dr Luo Hui
Dr Luo Hui explores Chinese-accented nonfiction and its creative potential beyond conventional China narratives.
LALS PhD Flash Talks
LALS PhD students present flash talks on their current research in linguistics and applied language studies.
Saturday 10 October
Picasso: Designed by Paul Smith — Members tour
Curator Dr Sophie Matthiesson leads a members-only tour of the Picasso and Paul Smith exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery.
He Hākari Kōrero: A Feast of Stories
Cassius Makoare leads an immersive storytelling experience exploring Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei heritage through kai, whakapapa, and sensory engagement.
Robyn Pearce
Author Talks
Robyn Pearce discusses her work blending pre-Civil War American history with a New Zealand time-travel narrative.
Sunday 11 October
The valley that fed a city
Jessie Munro traces how the Wairoa Valley's indigenous cultivation and colonial food trade shaped Clevedon and fed Auckland's growth.
Great Kiwi Brands
Phil Sai-Louie explores iconic New Zealand food and drink brands including Tip Top, Georgie Pie, Lemon & Paeroa, and Edmonds Baking Powder and their role in Aotearoa's cultural history.
From Earthy Cradle to Chip Pottle
Matt Elliott explores the Birkdale/Beach Haven area's history—from Māori food gathering to the region's renowned strawberry-growing industry and the invention of wooden punnets.
Monday 12 October
Economic security challenges in Southeast Asia: What can New Zealand learn?
Prof. Natasha Hamilton-Hart examines economic security challenges in Southeast Asia and their implications for New Zealand policy.
Guided tour | Picasso: Designed by Paul Smith
Guided tour of the Picasso: Designed by Paul Smith exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
A Decade Hence: The Enduring Promise of Peaceful Dispute Settlement
Atty. Florin Hilbay reflects on the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award a decade later, examining its impact on international maritime law and peaceful dispute resolution.
Tuesday 13 October
6th International Symposium on the 'Ocean in a High CO2 World'
International scientific symposium on ocean acidification and climate change, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
The effect of wholesale electricity prices on Australia’s economy by Magnus Soederberg
Professor Magnus Soederberg examines how wholesale electricity price levels and volatility affect firm value and capital investment in Australia.
New Zealand’s Strategic (In)Security: Accelerating Digital Frontier, Defence Deficit, Eroding Home Front
Dr Reuben Steff examines New Zealand's strategic insecurity amid great power competition, digital transformation, defence deficits, and domestic resilience challenges.
Wednesday 14 October
Economies of ‘truth’: alien materialities and the construction of history in contemporary Peru
Dr Corinna Howland examines how theories of extraterrestrial origins and alien encounters shape historical narratives and material understandings in contemporary Peru.
New Zealand's Strategic (in)Security: Accelerating Digital Frontier, Defence Deficit, Eroding Home Front
Dr Reuben Steff argues New Zealand faces compounding strategic insecurity across digital technology, defence capability, and domestic resilience amid great power competition.
Rainbows in Space—Using Spectroscopy to Understand the Earth and Mars
Professor Randy Pollock explores how spectroscopy reveals the composition and properties of Earth and Mars in this inaugural lecture.
Copyright Law and Generative AI
Professor Mark A. Lemley (Stanford University) examines the intersection of copyright law and generative AI.
Love letters to the ‘burbs: Six architects and enthusiasts pitch parts of Auckland
Six architects, writers, and urban enthusiasts present passionate pitches for Auckland suburbs, each with 10 minutes and 10 slides.
Thursday 15 October
Address by Diana Reaich
Diana Reaich, Associate Deputy Director-General of Trade and International Relations at the Ministry of Primary Industries, addresses the NZIIA.
Reshaping the Avon Ōtākaro
Heritage Highlights
Dave Little, CCC Manager of the Residential Red Zone, traces the history of Christchurch's eastern suburbs from the 2010/11 earthquakes through current ecological and flood resilience regeneration.
CHCH Book Launch: Meditations of a Landscape Architect
Launch of David Irwin's essay and photography collection on landscape architecture, drawing on four decades of design practice across Aotearoa.
Wavelengths of Discovery: from Laser-Ultrasound to Seismology
Elastic wave propagation reveals hidden physical properties of matter, from laser-ultrasound to seismic applications.
Whole of society security, a talk by Dr Beth Greener
Dr Beth Greener examines 'whole of society security' as a response to polycrises—complex emergencies where natural disasters, misinformation, and transnational crime intersect.
Friday 16 October
Saturday 17 October
Monday 19 October
Tuesday 20 October
Thursday 22 October
Energy Centre Seminar: The State of the Hydrogen Economy
Seminar examining the current state of the hydrogen economy, its barriers, and pathways to energy sovereignty.
Auckland Collectors’ Night Out – Presented by Objectspace & ECC
Guided evening visiting three Auckland collectors' homes with Objectspace director Kim Paton discussing art and craft collecting practices.
Genes to Genomes: A Journey from Drift to Adaptation
Professor Peter Ritchie traces a research journey through evolutionary genetics, from genetic drift to adaptation.
Healthy soil for healthy water
Lecture on soil's dual role in water contamination: as a source of pollutants and as a protective filter, covering pesticides, PFAS, and nanoparticles.
Friday 23 October
Saturday 24 October
Artist talk with Ken Faber and Lolani Dalosa
Exhibiting artists Ken Faber and Lolani Dalosa share insights into their creative processes and works in conversation with curator Matthew Hanson.
Those Days of Clear Blue Skies
Exhibition pairing 1936 artworks by Rita Angus, Louise Henderson, and Julia Scarvell with contemporary responses exploring art, ecology, and belonging in Aotearoa.
Tuesday 27 October
Wednesday 28 October
Thursday 29 October
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.
Your questions answered: understanding elections in New Zealand
Practical insights on New Zealand's electoral system and democratic engagement.
Saturday 31 October
Mātātupu Mātauranga: Future Thinkers
A day of tours, workshops, and talks by and for youth exploring their role as future caretakers of nature.
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.
Artist talk with Frances Libeau & Steve Lovett
Artists Frances Libeau and Steve Lovett in conversation, followed by a lecture from Welby Ings.
Wednesday 4 November
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.
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.
Wednesday 11 November
Stories behind the stories
Heritage Highlights
Celebrated local author Gavin Bishop shares the inspiration and stories behind his award-winning children's books.
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.
Tuesday 17 November
Wednesday 18 November
Thursday 19 November
Address by Paul Conway
Paul Conway, Chief Economist at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, addresses economic topics at the NZIIA.
Understanding and resisting Data centers: lessons from Spain
Examination of data centre expansion and its environmental and social impacts, drawing on Spanish activism and Aotearoa New Zealand contexts.
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.
Wednesday 25 November
Thursday 26 November
Thursday 3 December
Saturday 5 December
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.
On ecological innovation
Artists and academics explore how creative and scientific practices foster meaningful environmental encounters through ecological innovation.
Tuesday 8 December
Thursday 10 December