The 2023 Australasian Groundwater Conference is expected to attract more than 400 specialists in the field and deliver an estimated economic impact of $610,000 for Auckland.
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland will host the 2023 Australasian Groundwater Conference in November this year, the region’s largest groundwater conference.
The four-day conference, which will take place at Auckland University of Technology from 28 November to 1 December, is expected to attract more than 400 specialists in the field and deliver an estimated economic impact of $610,000 for Auckland.
The event will bring together scientists and professionals from one of the largest groundwater focused societies in the world, in a joint conference with the New Zealand Hydrological Society (NZHS). It will be the first groundwater-related joint Trans-Tasman event since 2005.
The bid was led by Dr Theo Sarris, Science Leader in Groundwater Modelling with the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, long-time member of the NZHS and past NZ president of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH). The bid was also supported by the Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and Tourism New Zealand’s Business Events team.
Dr Sarris says New Zealand’s economy and environment are very dependent on groundwater resources. Issues affecting the quality and management of groundwater range from climate change and sea level rise related risks, non-sustainable groundwater takes for drinking water and irrigation, nutrient and pathogen discharges from intensive land use practices and dewatering activities for deep excavations made during the construction of large infrastructure projects and resources mining, to name a few.
“It’s a huge topic in New Zealand. Over the last few years, we’ve been bringing more New Zealand members to the Australian IAH Groundwater Conference. As a result, the focus has shifted with the event now known as the Australasian Groundwater Conference. With this expansion to cover wider regional issues, New Zealand was the obvious next destination.
“Auckland is New Zealand’s economic centre and is heavily dependent on its freshwater resources. Combined with easy access for international delegates, and the city’s capacity to host large international events, made Auckland the best possible choice for the joint event.”
Dr Sarris adds: “Everyone is very excited to come to Auckland. The benefits of hosting this event include increased cooperation with Australian partners, exposure of New Zealand groundwater research and opportunities to develop solutions with the rest of the world.”
The conference will comprise plenary sessions with over 200 presentations, plus a field trip on related themes, along with plenty of opportunities for Trans-Tasman networking.
Head of ACB Ken Pereira says: “Bringing this conference to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is a great opportunity to showcase Auckland as a top business events destination and further strengthen Trans-Tasman working relationships in the industry. By working closely with partners like Tourism New Zealand, we can bring invaluable opportunities like this to Auckland.”
Tourism New Zealand General Manager New Zealand & Business Events Bjoern Spreitzer adds: “Auckland and New Zealand will benefit not only from the economic impact of the visiting delegates, but from the knowledge and networks created during the course of this conference.”