ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
Why This Conference Exists
Across New Zealand a number of key indicators of poor wellbeing remain deeply entrenched and in some cases are worsening. These issues affect individuals, families, organisations, and communities and carry significant social and economic consequences.
The Prevention Imperative: Universal Wellbeing Conference provides a forum for researchers, practitioners, policy leaders, educators, and community organisations to examine these challenges through a prevention-first lens and to explore strategies capable of producing measurable improvements.
Key Areas of National Concern
The conference focuses on several indicators of poor wellbeing that have persisted for more than a decade.
High Indicators
Child and adult suicide
Sexual and family violence
Crime and victimisation
Addictions
Chronic illness and mental health challenges
Low Indicators
Educational engagement
Educational achievement
Workplace wellbeing
Productivity
Home ownership
Social cohesion
Many professionals work directly in these areas across government, education, health, community services, and industry.
Conference Direction
The 2026 conference progresses the work introduced at the 2025 event through the Universal Wellbeing Charter: A Framework for Global Primordial Prevention.
The focus now moves toward developing an implementation science supported strategy capable of addressing the key national indicators identified above.
The conference provides space for cross-sector dialogue, research exchange, and practical discussion on how prevention-first Universal Wellbeing approaches may contribute to improving national wellbeing outcomes.