Hapori Aotearoa 2027
Following the hugely successful Hapori Aotearoa conference in Tauranga in 2025, we’re bringing the kaupapa to Ōtautahi Christchurch for Hapori Aotearoa 2027. This two day conference, held in partnership with the Social Equity & Wellbeing Network (SEWN) and Christchurch City Council, brings together people from across Aotearoa who are working in and alongside communities to create meaningful, lasting change.
Share your experience at Hapori Aotearoa 2027
Hapori Aotearoa is a national gathering for people passionate about community-led development. It’s an opportunity to share our work, celebrate our successes, and put community at the heart of everything we do.
We’re inviting proposals from people working in and alongside communities across Aotearoa. Whether you’re part of a grassroots initiative, community organisation, local or central government, iwi or hapū, a creative practice, social enterprise, or something else entirely, we’d love to hear what you’ve learned.
We’re looking for examples of local action, creative approaches that strengthen communities, and ideas that help create lasting change.
You don’t need to be a professional speaker. Some of the most valuable learning comes from people doing the mahi every day.
10–11 March 2027
All Saints, Burwood
Ōtautahi Christchurch
Hosted by Inspiring Communities, the Social Equity & Wellbeing Network (SEWN), Christchurch City Council
Submission deadline: Friday 31 July, 2026
Conference theme: People, Place and Practice
Over the last few months we’ve been talking with community leaders and practitioners across Aotearoa about what’s happening in their communities, what they’re learning, and where they need support. Through those conversations, three broad themes emerged.
Communities hold extraordinary knowledge, creativity and resilience. Across Aotearoa, people are finding new ways to strengthen relationships, respond to challenges, create opportunities and build collective wellbeing.
These conversations reinforced the importance of People, Place and Practice. Strong communities are built through relationships, shaped by local context, and strengthened through the ways we work together.
Hapori Aotearoa 2027 is an opportunity to share those stories, learn from one another, and explore what community-led development looks like in practice. Our programme is built around three interconnected streams:
Local wisdom
Local wisdom is a platform for local leaders and grassroots changemakers, including individuals and groups who may not typically present at a formal conference.
We’re interested in stories of what has succeeded, what hasn’t, and what you’ve learned along the way. This could include practical tools, templates and models that others can take back and use in their own communities.
Creative community
Creativity helps communities connect, imagine and act. Creative community explores the role of storytelling, arts and creative practice in strengthening and engaging communities.
We’re looking for workshops, performances, creative experiences and stories that demonstrate how accessible arts can build connection, invite participation and turn ideas into action.
Transformational change
Transformational change focuses on broad systems change informed by local insights.
This stream explores how local insights can influence wider systems change. Together we’ll examine how we can decolonise existing structures, foster collective wellbeing, address systemic trauma, and create pathways towards a future grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
What we’re looking for:
We’re interested in a wide range of session formats. Whether you’re sharing a hands-on workshop, a practice story, a creative experience, a panel discussion, a useful tool or framework, or an idea that’s still taking shape, we’d love to hear from you. Sessions will generally run for 60 to 80 minutes, although some flexibility may be available depending on the format.
Presenter support:
For up to two presenters per session we offer the following support.
(If your session requires more than two presenters, please let us know as we do have some flexibility.)
- Complimentary registration for the full two-day conference, including catering.
- A voucher/koha in recognition of your contribution.
- Flights, accommodation and transfers for presenters travelling from outside Christchurch.
- A $100 fuel voucher for presenters travelling more than 50km by road.
- Promotion through conference marketing, programme materials and event communications.
Key dates:
31 July 2026
Proposal submissions close
21 August 2026
Presenters notified
Mid September 2026
Registrations open and draft conference programme released
30 September 2026
Presenter bios, photos and session details due
October-November 2026
Travel and accommodation arrangements confirmed
November 2026
Full conference programme released
10-11 March 2027
Hapori Aotearoa 2027
Submit your proposal
If your experience could help others working in and alongside communities, we’d love to hear from you. Submission deadline: Friday 31 July, 2026
Not sure where your idea fits? We’d love to hear from you. Contact our programming team at kiaora@inspiringcommunities.org.nz. We’re happy to have a kōrero and help you shape your proposal.
Keep up to date
Sign up to the Inspiring Communities pānui to be the first to hear updates, including:
- call for speakers and workshop opportunities
- programme announcements and keynote speakers
- early bird ticket release
- opportunities to partner, sponsor, or contribute
Whether you’re keen to share your experience, connect with others, or simply be part of the kōrero, we’d love to have you with us.
For sponsorship or exhibitor enquiries, contact us at: kiaora@inspiringcommunities.org.nz
Working together
Hapori Aotearoa 2027 is proudly presented by Inspiring Communities in partnership with the Social Equity & Wellbeing Network (SEWN), Christchurch City Council, and collaborators from across Aotearoa.
