AANZPA Conference 2026
Whakarongo mai rā, ki te reo karanga o te ao … kei te aha koe? …kei te aha tātou katoa? Listen to the call of the world … what are we doing? what are we all doing?
What is our work in the world?
This year’s conference theme serves as both an enquiry and a provocation. You are invited to pause and look at what we are already doing with individuals and groups, the roles we take up, the systems we challenge, the sparks we ignite, the communities we care for. In this conference we want to hear from each other about our applications of the psychodrama method.
With this theme we are also asking: what work is needed now? What is the call for us and our potent method, grounded in spontaneity and creativity? What is needed to humanise systems, to step into the world of the other, to keep developing ourselves? What role can we all play in Moreno’s call for a creative revolution?
We are calling you…
Tēnā koutou katoa, ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou. Warm greetings to you all.
We invite you to attend the AANZPA Conference in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa (Wellington, New Zealand), 14 – 18 January 2026.
And welcome to our second conference pānui/ communication in which we provide information about the conference fee, accommodation arrangements and who the conference committee is.
Conference fee & accommodation
The Earlybird conference fee (not including accommodation) will be $930.00. This includes all meals and the Dinner Dance on Saturday evening.
We want to let you know about our venue, The Brentwood Hotel, Kilbirnie. As it is a hotel, all of our conference needs are in one place – including a swimming pool (though as it is January in Wellington, it might not be fit for purpose!). There are a range of accommodation options available at The Brentwood. Rooms are $184.00 per night for both single and shared double rooms, and there is some triple sharing available. You will need to book your accommodation directly with them. As you can see, the room rates are the same for single or sharing – find someone you want to share with and book your room now.
Make accommodation bookings directly with The Brentwood by phoning 0508 273 689 (0508 BRENTWOOD) from Aotearoa or calling +64 4 920 0400 International.
Alternatively, email reservations@brentwoodhotel.co.nz. Information about accommodation alternatives will follow.
Registrations and workshop information
Registrations will open in mid-September. Planning for pre and post conference workshops is underway, and we’ll be making further information available very soon.
Hui a Tau Whakatau and Poroaki / Conference Opening and Closing
Whakatau / Opening Ceremony
The conference opening will take place on Wednesday 14th at 5pm and will be in the form of a Whakatau, meaning to settle and prepare. You will be welcomed by the Central Region members and community, the AANZPA Executive, and the Conference Committee, who will lead this welcoming ceremony. We ask that you assemble at the Brentwood Hotel carpark near the Hotel entrance no later than 4.45pm on Wednesday. You will gather as a group and be guided through the opening.
The whakatau process is guided by tikanga, particular Māori ways of welcoming and greeting. As you gather together as a manuhiri group (visitors) and prepare to be welcomed in there will be time to practice a waiata and to be guided through the steps of the process. The waiata ĀIO by Rangimarie Rose Pere is suggested for your group. The words will be available to everyone and there is a link to the waiata here YouTube link
The first voice of welcome will be a karanga from the host rōpū which will be answered by the Kaikaranga of the manuhiri. The karanga is a ceremonial call of welcome that transcends the physical world. Those that have passed on and the kaupapa (purpose) of the gathering will be acknowledged.
Your rōpū will move towards the hosts and be seated in the conference room. There will be a mihi whakatau, official welcome speech, from the convenor, some invited responses from the manuhiri group and a welcome from the AANZPA President. Each of the speeches will be followed by a waiata, as the garnish or complement for the words spoken.
A karakia, an incantation, will be offered and the manuhiri group invited to hongi and share breath with the hosts should you wish to. A handshake may be offered instead, based on comfort and preference. In times of protecting our health an elbow bump is an acceptable alternative.
The final part of the welcome is the sharing of kai, having a meal together, to transition into the ordinary world.
After kai it is usual for whanaungatanga to take place where relationships and links are explored and established. The first session together in the conference after the meal will attend to this final aspect of us coming together.
Poroaki / Closing Ceremony
The poroaki or closing ceremony will take place between 12pm and 1pm on Sunday 18th January. This final aspect of our conference will be opened with a karakia. Conference participants will be invited to express something of your experience of the conference which will be followed by a waiata. The Conference committee, Convenor and AANZPA President will speak, followed by waiata. There will be a time of handing over to the convenors of the 2027 conference, a final waiata / karakia together and hongi and harirū to complete. We will finish promptly at 1pm.
The 2026 Conference committee
Chris Hill – Convenor
Anja van Holten – Treasurer
Marilyn Hunt – Secretary / Comms
Ali Watersong – Registrar
Bronwen Pelvin – Manaaki / Hosting
Bev Hosking & Cissy Rock – Programme
Nau mai Haere mai! We look forward to welcoming you to Te Whanganui-a-Tara/ Wellington in January 2026.
Noho ora mai
Chris Hill, Convenor
On behalf of the Conference 2026 Committee
Conference Policies
Refund and Cancellations Policy
Your registration is confirmed once we receive your full payment. If you're on a payment plan, your registration will be confirmed upon completion of all payments.
We understand that cancellations happen. While we'll do our best to minimise losses for both you and AANZPA, all registration refunds are at the discretion of the Conference Treasurer. You'll receive a full refund for cancellation requests made on or before January 1, 2026. After this date, partial refunds, minus any costs already incurred, may be issued. Accommodation refunds can be negotiated directly with the Brentwood Hotel.
For specific questions about payments or refunds, please email the Conference Treasurer at: conftreasurer@aanzpa.org
Pre and Post Conference Workshop Policy
Priority for pre and post-conference workshops is given to attendees who are also registered for the main conference. This is because the group dynamics formed in these workshops contribute to the overall conference experience. If you need to cancel your attendance at a pre or post-conference workshop, please notify the Conference Registrar as soon as possible to help us manage the group process effectively.
Disability Policy
AANZPA is committed to including all members at our annual gatherings. We strive to accommodate individuals with disabilities as much as possible, working closely with those affected. We acknowledge that there may be some limitations in meeting every need. Our aim is to ensure that individuals are not defined by their disability or have unnecessary attention drawn to it; instead, we aspire to connect as fellow human beings.