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 will be open from July 1 – August 31
• Early bird registration will be open from July 1 – 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
Details for the AWMS 2025 Icebreaker function will be shown here when available. If you wish to attend, please contact Konnie at conference@awms.org.au
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
Practitioners and land managers symposium
Open symposium
Registration
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.
Conference registrations are not yet available and will open soon. Keep an eye out for the announcement.
Early Bird prices are valid until 15 October 2025, after that Standard registration costs apply. All prices are in NZD$.
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
Field trips and workshops
Registration for field trips and workshops will be opening soon!
Every year the AWMS conference provides a number of pre- and post-conference field trips and workshops. Typically, 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.
Detail coming soon for AWMS2025 Field trips and workshops.
Sponsors and Trade exhibitors
Sponsor and Trade Exhibitor registration will be open soon!
For detailed information on sponsorship opportunities and trade stall exhibits at the conference, please contact us at conference@awms.org.au. The AWMS2025 Sponsorship Brochure will be available here to download in the near future.
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.
