AAANZ 2026 Conference | Haereka
Ōtautahi Christchurch
Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 December 2026
Call for Sessions | Proposal deadline Monday 18 May
Hosted by University of Canterbury Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, the 2026 AAANZ conference theme is Haereka (pronounced high-reh-kah), meaning journey. The theme honours the journeys of those who have come before us, including many generations of Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, and Ngāi Tahu people who have traversed and first settled the mountain ranges, plains, and coastlines of Te Waipounamu South Island. We invite proposals that engage with ideas of journeying – through time and place – as it might relate to images, artistic practice, and/or material culture, while encouraging fresh readings of politics, movement, and migration in art.
Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Haereka will provide opportunities to explore the city and surrounding region. The conference will take place primarily at the University of Canterbury, with some evening events located at other city venues including Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.
Who should apply?
All conference participants are required to be AAANZ members.
How to apply?
The online application form will ask you to provide:
- Panel Convenors contact details and affiliations
- A panel proposal (250 words) that describes the theme and topics your panel will address, and a description of the panel format
- Details of any confirmed participants (if applicable)
- If you are proposing a non-standard panel, a description of the proposed format
Panel Formats
- Panels will be allocated 90 minutes with 30 minutes for questions and discussion
- A standard panel comprises of 3 speakers, each delivering a research paper of maximum 20 minutes
- Alternative formats are possible, such as roundtable discussions, short talk, workshops etc
Timeline
The conference committee will aim to notify all panel proposers of the outcome of their submission in early-June.
In mid-June, the Committee will publish all successful Panel Proposals. Individuals will then be invited to submit paper proposals directly to Panel Convenors.
Panel convenors will be required to confirm their full panel participants by July-end.
If you have any queries, please contact conf@aaanz.info
You must be logged in to post a comment.