The New Zealand Association of Optometrists holds its 96th Annual Conference at Huihui, Parliament in Wellington on 16–17 October 2026, a CPD-focused gathering for optometrists and industry partners themed 'Caring for sight, caring for self'.
The New Zealand Association of Optometrists (NZAO) returns to the capital for its 96th Annual Conference, held at Huihui, Parliament in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October 2026.
This year's theme, 'Caring for sight, caring for self — thriving in a changing optometry landscape', frames two days of learning and connection around a profession reshaped by advances in AI, expanding hospital and community roles, and changing employment settings. The programme is built from CPD presentations, workshops and reflective sessions, anchored by keynote speaker Professor Lauren Ayton, a clinician-scientist recognised internationally for her work in retinal disease, low vision and vision restoration.
The conference is delivered by the New Zealand Association of Optometrists Inc., the professional body committed to championing, developing and strengthening the profession of optometry and to high-quality eye health care for all New Zealanders. Based in Wellington, the NZAO runs the member portal through which delegates register and administers the association's CPD offering. The reference to a 96th annual conference signals a long institutional history for the body.
The event is aimed at optometrists and industry partners from across Aotearoa, drawing practitioners together to earn CPD, network and engage with an exhibition of platinum and silver partners. Member pricing applies through the NZAO portal, with non-member registration also available. Supporting sessions widen the appeal: an optional pre-conference First Aid Training on Thursday 15 October (covering NZQA unit standards, held at the Eye Institute Wellington), the NZAO Annual General Meeting on the Saturday morning, the Alan Styles Memorial Debate, a 5km wellbeing run on the Wellington waterfront, and a Gala Dinner at Foxglove Restaurant.
Huihui is a function space within the New Zealand Parliament precinct in central Wellington, placing the congress in the heart of the CBD. The parliamentary precinct sits within easy walking distance of the city's central hotels, dining and the waterfront, and Wellington Airport is roughly a 20-minute drive from the central city, making the venue readily accessible for a national delegate base travelling in from around the country. Conference-linked activity such as the waterfront wellbeing run and the Foxglove Gala Dinner leans into the walkable, harbour-side character of the location.
A long-running national association congress hosted inside the Parliament precinct is a notable data point for Wellington's business-events sector: it pairs a scientific/medical CPD programme with a high-profile civic venue, an exhibition of sector partners, and a full social programme. As the flagship annual gathering of the country's optometry profession, it reinforces Wellington's position as a host city for mid-sized professional-association congresses in the health and scientific space.
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