Wellington Zoo is proud to be the host of IZE 2023! Our conference theme is Me tiaki, kia ora!

IZE 2023: Me tiaki, Kia ora! Caring for Animals, Caring for our Planet, Caring for People

16-20 October 2023

We must look after our environment so all life will flourish. It is up to us to make a difference for animals and the wild places they call home.

IZE Conference 2023 registration open now. Early Bird discounts available until 30 April 2023

Register Now on Whova

Call for abstracts

We are now accepting abstracts for the following formats:

• • • • • Oral Presentation (12 minutes)
        • Poster (5 minute video presentation)
        • Interactive workshop (60 minutes)

Please choose the conference stream with which your abstract best aligns. Please note we welcome abstracts from across the conservation education community.

We encourage all abstract authors to include links to relevant chapters or recommendations in the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Education Strategy.

Please submit your abstract using this link here by 24 February 2023.

If you have questions about the abstract submission process, please contact izeconference2023@wellingtonzoo.com

Me tiaki, Kia ora! Caring for Animals, Caring for our Planet, Caring for People 

Wellington Zoo is proud to be the host of IZE 2023, our first in-person conference for five years! Our conference theme is Me tiaki,kia ora! We must look after our environment, so all things will flourish. It is up to us collectively to make a difference for animals and the wild places they call home. 

After the last couple of years of upheaval, we have a great opportunity to come together, celebrate and set the stage for the future of Zoo and Aquarium conservation education.  Our conference identity includes a koru shape, often found in Māori art as a symbol of creation, based on the fern frond. The circular shape shows the idea of perpetual movement and the inward coil suggests a return to the point of origin. This is a symbol of how life changes and stays the same.

The conference streams are: 

• Care, welfare & wellbeing
  • Highlighting care, welfare and wellbeing for animals, visitors, students and the environment.
  • Welcoming, diversity and inclusion
  • Nature connectedness 
• Creativity & innovation
  • Innovative programmes
  • Adaptation and flexibility
  • Coping with challenges
• Stronger together
  • Collaborative programmes
  • Working with our communities
  • Connecting people to our work
  • Engagement with Zoo and Aquarium colleagues
  • Partnerships with schools or other learning institutions
• Taking Action
  • Community conservation 
  • Climate action
  • Sustainable futures 

Accommodation

We are working with a local accommodation provider to lock in prices for accommodation during the conference. Please note all of these properties are about a 10 minute easy walk to the conference venue on Wellington’s waterfront.

Boulcott Suites 5 star

Astelia Apartment Hotel 4 star

  Willis Village Urban Garden Apartments 3.5 star

 Courtenay Village Apartments 3.5 star

Accommodation in the heart of Wellington

Village Accommodation Group offers a range of modern 3, 4 and 5 star apartment styled properties in central locations throughout Wellington.

You can book your conference accommodation now through this link.

We look forward to welcoming the International Zoo Educator’s Conference delegates to our hotels in October 2023.  

After the last couple of years of upheaval, we have a great opportunity to come together, celebrate and set the stage for the future of Zoo and Aquarium conservation education. 

Please keep an eye on this page for further information about the conference including how to submit abstracts and information on registration and accommodation.

We look forward to hosting you in Wellington!

Nau mai haere mai ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara

Get a sneak peak of what Wellington has to offer.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at izeconference2023@wellingtonzoo.com

For more information on Wellington https://www.wellingtonnz.com/