Conference details
Date: 2nd – 4th December 2025
Venue: Heritage Hotel, Queenstown, New Zealand
Theme: New challenges, new solutions
Symposia:
1. New technology and new innovations
2. One health in conservation
3. Human dimensions of wildlife management
Key dates:
• Abstracts are now closed
• Early bird registration is open until October 15
• Regular registration will be open from October 15 – December 1
The full conference program will be shown here when it is available.
Icebreaker function
The AWMS 2025 Icebreaker function will be on Monday the 1st of December at 5 PM at the conference venue (the Heritage Hotel). If you wish to attend, please tick the box during registration.
Mentorship event and student dinner
For students, a mentorship event will be held on Monday the 1st of December from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, at the conference venue.
Join a panel of experienced professionals from academia, industry, and government, including:
• Cath Price – University of Sydney
• Chris Muller – Altitude Conservation
• Al Glen – Bioeconomy Science Institute
• Ngaio Beausoleil – Massey University
• Leith Meyer – Massey University
Hear about their career journeys and gain practical advice on career development, navigating the job market, and working across sectors. The session will include a short panel discussion followed by informal small-group conversations – an excellent opportunity to ask questions and connect with mentors. This is a great opportunity to meet senior scientists, discuss research ideas, and get career advice. If your abstract has been accepted, you will soon receive a separate invitation via email.
Additionally, a student dinner will be held at Winnies Gourmet Pizza Bar on Tuesday the 2nd of December at 7:00 PM (pay your own). Please respond to your email invitation if you wish to join either event.
Abstracts and Registration
We are thrilled to announce the dates and venue for AWMS 2025!
Key dates are below:
• Abstracts are now closed
• Early bird registration will be open until October 15 2025
• Regular registration will be open from October 15 – December 1 2025
We are looking forward to welcoming delegates from New Zealand, Australia, Southern Africa, North America, and beyond to this year’s AWMS conference.
Symposia
New technology and new innovations
Plenary Speaker: Elaine Murphy
Elaine Murphy is the Principal Scientist for the Department of Conservation (DOC) and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Lincoln University. Elaine was previously the Detection and Prevention Programme Leader for the Invasive Animals CRC in Australia. She has >30 years of experience in New Zealand, working on the ecology of animal pests, their control, and their impacts on threatened species. Elaine is currently leading a project to develop an aerial PAPP bait for wide-scale control of stoats. She is a science advisor to Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP), Pest Free Banks Peninsula, and Predator Free Waiheke. She regularly sits on Technical Advisory Groups responding to pest incursions on New Zealand islands. Elaine is the Keynote Speaker for our ‘New technology and new innovations’ symposium.
One health in conservation
Plenary Speaker: Jemma Geoghegan
Jemma Geoghegan is a Professor, Rutherford Discovery Fellow and Robert Webster Chair at the University of Otago in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. She is an evolutionary virologist with a strong research focus on emerging infectious diseases, including high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). Her research focuses on determining the fundamental patterns and processes of viral evolution, ecology and emergence. Jemma’s work involves using metagenomics to reveal the diversity, structure and evolution of the virosphere; examining the evolution of major viral infections; and developing new analytical approaches to analyse aspects of virus evolution. Jemma is the Keynote Speaker for our ‘One health in conservation’ symposium.
Human dimensions of wildlife management
Open wildlife management symposium
Registration
Conference registrations are now open!
All prices are in Australian dollars (AU$).
Early Bird prices are valid until 15 October 2025, after that Standard registration costs apply.
Travel subsidies
AWMS encourages and supports the participation of students and Indigenous peoples in our annual conferences. We offer travel subsidies to facilitate this. See the subsidies that AWMS offers for conference travel here.
Full Conference registrations include:
- Access to all presentations over 3 days.
- Access to the trade exhibitions.
- Catering for 3 days: morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea.
- Conference program and abstract book.
- 1 ticket for the conference dinner on Wednesday 3 Dec 2025.
Day Conference registrations include:
- Access to all presentations on the chosen day(s).
- Access to the trade exhibitions.
- Catering on the chosen day(s) (morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea).
- Conference program and abstract book.
AWMS members enjoy discounted registration fees, so be sure to renew or join as an AWMS member to take advantage of this and other benefits.
Fieldtrips and workshops
Registration for fieldtrips is now open!
Every year the AWMS conference provides a number of pre- and post-conference fieldtrips and/or workshops. Places are limited, so book early to not miss out. If you are interested in a fully booked field trip or workshop, please put your name on the waitlist in case we receive a cancellation, or can increase the number of places, depending on demand. If you have already registered for the Conference but want to register for the fieldtrips, or have any questions, please email us: conference@awms.org.au
Pre-Conference fieldtrips
Kiwi Park Queenstown
Monday 1 December 2025, 10 AM – 1 PM
Enjoy a guided tour of the Kiwi Park in Queenstown, including a special tuatara interaction and a private kiwi encounter, followed by a captivating conservation show. You can either be picked up from your accommodation or meet directly at the park. More details will be provided upon registration: https://kiwibird.co.nz/
Price: AU$80
Mokomoko Dryland Sanctuary
Monday 1 December 2025, 6.30 AM – 3 PM
Join Caughley Medal winner, Grant Norbury, and his colleague, Anna Yeoman, from the Central Otago Ecological Trust in Alexandra for an introduction to Mokomoko Dryland Sanctuary, New Zealand’s first fully fenced dryland sanctuary, where four species of locally extinct lizards have been reintroduced. Travel via 4WD bus from Queenstown, learn about the vision to restore the pre-settlement ecosystem of Central Otago, followed by a guided tour through the sanctuary itself, including lunch: https://www.mokomokosanctuary.com/
Price: AU$170
Post-Conference field trip
Milford Sound Scenic Tour & Cruise with Altitude Tours
Friday 5 December 2025, 6.30 AM – 6.30 PM
Get ready for a long day devoted to visiting New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attraction. Experience the stunning Milford Sound, starting with lakeside refreshments at Lake Te Anau. Travel through Fiordland National Park with stops at iconic locations, short walks, and the chance to meet a cheeky kea or two. The tour concludes with a scenic nature cruise on Milford Sound aboard a small boat: https://www.altitudetours.co.nz/tour/milford-sound-private-tours/
Price: AU$420
Sponsors and Trade exhibitors
Sponsor and Trade Exhibitor registration is now open!
We invite your company, organisation or institution to partner with us in delivering this important conference. Your support will help us improve the quality and breadth of the scientific program, facilitate the participation of students, and enhance conference amenities for the benefit of all participants.
We are pleased to offer a broad range of sponsorship and trade exhibit opportunities allowing companies and organisations of virtually any size to engage in the conference. By becoming a sponsor or trade exhibitor, you will effectively elevate your brand among leaders in the field of wildlife management, increase the visibility of your products and services, and provide your staff access to the latest information about best management practices. As a company committed to this field, there is no better place to promote your work than this conference with delegates coming from all levels of government, industry, consulting and academia from Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
Check out the AWMS 2025 Sponsors and Exhibitors Brochure.
For further details on sponsorship opportunities and trade stall exhibits at the conference, please contact us at conference@awms.org.au.
