Past Conferences and Abstracts
Our annual New Zealand Bird Conference held over King’s Birthday Weekend in 2025 in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland was an outstanding event, with a full programme of fascinating ornithological presentations. We warmly thank the local organising committee from Auckland, adeptly led by Auckland Regional Representative Ian McLean and Chris Thompson. A summary report on the event is available on page five of the September edition of the Birds New Zealand magazine
Congratulations to all our award recipients, including Tim Lovegrove who received the 2025 Robert Falla Memorial Award for his long-standing contribution to the Society, and to Geoff and Raewynn Foreman who jointly received a Meritorious Service Award for their leadership in the Bay of Plenty/Gisborne over many years.
Prizes kindly donated by Faunatech, AltitudeConservation, Tiritiri Matangi, Miranda Pukorokoro Shorebird Centre and Photogear were presented to student award and photo competition winners. We are also grateful to members for their donations to the Fledgling Fund which supported three students to attend the conference. We hope the continued success of this fund will provide consistent support for students to attend where they may not otherwise have the funding to do so.
The New Zealand Bird Conference weekend marked some changes in our Council. After 17 years of service, including six years as President, Bruce McKinlay has stepped away to focus on other activities, including reinvigorating our Moult Recording Scheme. Colin Miskelly and Eleanor Gunby also reached the end of their terms and did not seek re-election. Colin will remain active within the Society as Editor of Notornis, and as Chair of the New Zealand Checklist Committee and the Records Appraisal Committee. Martine Darrou was elected to Council after having been co-opted previously. We have also co-opted Nic Rawlence and Brenda Greene to Council. We are grateful for the time and energy invested by all of our Councillors in ensuring the smooth running of Birds New Zealand.
To read or download abstracts from previous conferences scroll down.
The 2026 New Zealand Bird Conference and 86th AGM will be held in Wanaka, Otago, over King’s Birthday Weekend (30 May–1 June) at the Wanaka Lakes Centre. Further details will be available later this year.