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.
Join us 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.
Join us in Ōtautahi Christchurch on 10–11 March 2027 for two days of connection, inspiration and shared learning, bringing together people from across Aotearoa to exchange ideas, celebrate what’s working and put community at the heart of change.
We’ve been blown away by the response to our call for contributions. The volume and breadth of ideas received means shaping the programme is taking us a little longer than initially anticipated. We’re taking the time to bring together a programme that reflects the knowledge, experience and creativity held within communities across Aotearoa.
A draft conference programme will be released when registrations open in September. We look forward to sharing more soon.
10–11 March 2027
All Saints, Burwood
Ōtautahi Christchurch
Hosted by Inspiring Communities, the Social Equity & Wellbeing Network (SEWN), Christchurch City Council
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.
Key dates:
31 July 2026
Proposal submissions close
Early September 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
Keep up to date
Sign up to the Inspiring Communities pānui to be the first to hear updates, including:
- draft and full programme announcements
- speaker and keynote updates
- early bird ticket release
- opportunities to partner or sponsor the conference
We look forward to welcoming you to Ōtautahi Christchurch in March 2027.
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.
