Principals' Conference 2026

QT Queenstown

Sunday 24 May - Wednesday 27 May

Registrations are now open!

We look forward to seeing you in Queenstown in May!

Venue: QT Queenstown

Dates: Sunday 24 May to Wednesday 27 May 2026
Programme Summary: (full programme will be released soon)
- Sunday 24 May
  - 10:30am - Registration Opens
  - 11:00am - 3:00pm - New Principals Session
  - 5.15pm - Mihi Whakatau
  - 6:00pm - Welcome Drinks
- Monday 25 May
  - 8:00am - Registration Opens
  - 8:45am - Karakia & Welcome
  - 9:00am - President’s Address
  - 10:00am - Keynote Speaker - James Castrission - Persistance, Endurance & Achievement
  - 12:00pm - Keynote Speaker - Dr Hana O’Regan
  - 2:30pm - AGM, Union AGM & Service Awards
- Tuesday 26 May
  - 8:45am - Karakia & Welcome
  - 9:30am - Keynote Speaker - Ciara Lancaster - Practical Strategies for Principals in Constant Change
  - 11am, 12pm, 2pm & 3pm - Workshops including:
    - Gretchen Stone & Jack Stone - Legal
    - Dr Colin Kennedy - Artificial Intelligence
    - Ruth Shinoda - ERO Research
    - Dr Therese Ford & Iti Joyce - Maori Student Engagement
    - MoE - New Curriculum & NCEA Changes
    - Fiona McDonald - Education Outside the Classroom
    - Piripi Prendergast - Stop Streaming
  - 5:30pm - Conference Dinner at AJ Hackett Bungy
    - Buses to depart from QT Queenstown starting 5:00pm
- Wednesday 27 May
  - 8:45am - Karakia & Welcome
  - 9:00am - Minister Stanford
  - 10:00am - Keynote Speaker - Jeff Simpson - Personalities & Choosing Team Members
  - 11:00am - Passport Draws
  - Finish time approximately 11:30am

Registration desk open: Sunday 24 May, 10.30am - 5.00pm.

Conference close: Wednesday 27 May, 11:30am

Note: Programme is subject to change

Click here to register

Conference Programme

Full programme will be released once finalised

Accommodation

We have negotiated reduced rates with the following local hotels.

QT Queenstown - please book here

Crowne Plaza Queenstown - Rooms can be booked directly with Crowne Plaza Queenstown's in house reservation department on +64 3 441 0095 between the hours of 09.00 – 17.00 Monday – Friday or email crowneplaza.queenstown@ihg.com. Guests must call the above number provided for in house reservation to receive the group contracted rates if not by email.

Scenic Suites Queenstown - please book here

Cancellations

All registration cancellations received prior to 1 March 2026 will receive a full refund. Cancellations received after this date will be refunded 50% of original invoice. However, there will be no refunds after 20 April 2026, as we will have already paid for the catering.

Exhibitors

We no longer offer space for one-off exhibitors. To join our waitlist of Business Partners please get in touch: office@spanz.school.nz

We thank all businesses for your enquiries to support SPANZ.

Please note: we do have availability for exhibitors to join our SPANZ PA Conference so please get in touch with our office for further information: office@spanz.school.nz