Conference
14th Oceania Academy biennial conference: Shared Pathways, Stronger Futures
He Ara Ngātahi, He Anamata Pakari
Welcome from the Chairs
Nau mai, haere mai
On behalf of the Oceania Academy of Cerebral Palsy and other Childhood-onset Disabilities we warmly welcome you to the 14th Oceania Academy biennial conference hosted in Ōtautahi, Christchurch, in Aotearoa New Zealand, 15-18th March 2028.
The conference theme Shared Pathways, Stronger Futures reflects the power of coming together with a common purpose. It speaks to the collaboration, connection, and collective progress of our communities, while also recognising the strength – of the people of the Ōtautahi Christchurch region and of those with lived experience of childhood-onset disabilities. The theme highlights the importance of lifelong perspectives of childhood-onset disabilities, while also acknowledging the innovation and diversity of knowledge that emerge when people from different disciplines, cultures, experiences, and communities work together.
The Ngāi Tahu people are the primary mana whenua iwi (indigenous Māori customary authority) for the Canterbury region on where we will meet.
He Ara Ngātahi, He Anamata Pakari is a Māori whakatauki /expression that encapsulates the spirit of our conference theme:
He ara ngātahi: a shared pathway or journey travelled together. The term ngātahi emphasises the concept of people moving forward together.
He anamata pakari = a strong, resilient future.
The conference logo takes the form of a Koru, inspired by the unfurling frond of an Aotearoa New Zealand native fern. The Koru is a powerful symbol of new opportunities, growth, learning, and the unfolding of one’s potential. It also reflects the interconnected nature of our work – where knowledge, relationships, and innovation continue to grow and evolve over time. We hope that by bringing our community together, this conference will foster meaningful connections, inspire new ideas, and promote the translation of knowledge into action that strengthens outcomes for people with cerebral palsy and other childhood-onset disabilities, their families / whānau and caregivers, and the professionals, researchers, and advocates who support them.
In the Oceania Academy’s ongoing commitment to high-quality learning and knowledge exchange, we are pleased to once again offer a fully hybrid conference experience. Delegates will be able to participate either in person or virtually, enabling engagement in a way that best suits their circumstances and needs. This approach is guided by the Oceania Academy’s Equity Position Statement and our commitment to sustainability through reducing barriers to participation and minimising environmental impacts associated with travel.
Our scientific program is being developed in partnership with professionals from a wide range of disciplines alongside people with lived experience of childhood-onset disability. We are committed to highlighting the voices and knowledge of Māori, First Nations, and Pacific peoples, in addition to perspectives and experiences from both high- and low-resource settings from across the globe. The conference will continue our tradition of showcasing leading international research, best-practice interventions, implementation and knowledge translation initiatives, and innovations that promote inclusion and participation. Following the enthusiastic response to the Skills Labs introduced at the 2026 Conference in Hobart, we are also delighted to once again feature these interactive learning opportunities as part of our 2028 program.
As the program evolves, we will continue to share updates through our website, e-zines, and conference communications. We encourage you to bookmark the conference website and subscribe to our e-zines to stay informed about announcements, speakers, and opportunities to get involved.
As we come together in Ōtautahi, we invite you to share your knowledge, challenge ideas, build connections, and create new opportunities for meaningful impact. Together, we can build shared pathways that lead to stronger futures.
We look forward to welcoming you in March 2028.
Vist our Official conference website – and register for updates!
Oceania Conference Website
Co-Chairs
Sian Williams
Associate Professor, Curtin University
Katarina Ostojic
Research Fellow, The University of Sydney
Anna Mackey
Project and Relationship Manager, NZ Cerebral Palsy Register – Te Rēhita a Hōkai Nukurangi
