Why This Conference Matters?

Across New Zealand, many people are seeing these challenges firsthand.

You may be:

• working directly with individuals, families, students, staff, or communities affected by these issues

• trying to improve outcomes within your organisation or sector

• researching long-term wellbeing challenges and prevention approaches

• navigating these pressures personally or within your own whānau or workplace

• searching for more practical, connected, and prevention-focused ways forward

The 2nd Prevention Imperative: New Zealand Universal Wellbeing Conference 2026 brings together voices from across government, education, health, research, social services, business, and community sectors to explore how New Zealand can move beyond reacting to crises and towards earlier, more preventative approaches.

This is NOT designed as a passive conference.

It is intended as a space for practical discussion, cross-sector learning, difficult but necessary conversations, and the sharing of research, lived realities, frontline experiences, and emerging solutions.

Attendees will hear directly from national leaders, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working across some of New Zealand’s most pressing wellbeing challenges, while also contributing perspectives that may help shape future prevention-focused initiatives and collaborative action beyond the conference.

Researchers, practitioners, organisations, and sector leaders are also invited to submit abstracts and contribute to the national conversation.