RemNet Annual Conference 2026, Auckland

The RemNet Annual Conference 2026 takes place over two days, Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 November 2026, at The Maritime Room on Auckland's waterfront. Run by the New Zealand Remuneration Network (RemNet), the conference carries the theme "Pay Under Pressure: Building Confidence and Clarity in Remuneration and Reward", and according to the organiser it examines how reward teams are responding to tight economic conditions, pay equity, constrained budgets, AI and a changing workforce.

The programme published by RemNet runs from 8:30am on day one through to a networking function that evening, with a half-day concluding session finishing at 12:30pm on the Tuesday.

Who runs it

The conference is organised by the New Zealand Remuneration Network Inc. (RemNet), a not-for-profit association that describes itself as the only organisation of its kind in the country. RemNet connects large and small member organisations for networking, benchmarking and shared learning on reward, recognition and remuneration. Strategic Pay, a New Zealand remuneration consultancy, is the network's appointed Executive Manager.

The 2026 event is chaired by RemNet Chair Anjali Rajan, with broadcaster Michele A'Court as MC.

Who it's for

RemNet lists the audience as reward and remuneration professionals alongside people and culture and HR leaders. The 2026 programme reflects that focus, with sessions aimed at practitioners making pay decisions: an economic update from Brad Olsen of Infometrics, a "Future of Pay in Aotearoa" session with Melissa Clark-Reynolds ONZM, and a research block featuring Korn Ferry, Strategic Pay, PwC and EY on reward trends, pay fairness, incentive effectiveness and AI in the workforce. Membership includes delegate places, and non-members can also attend.

The venue and getting there

The conference is held at The Maritime Room, located on Princes Wharf in the Auckland CBD, on the edge of the Viaduct Harbour. According to Auckland's official visitor information, it is a pillarless waterfront event space with floor-to-ceiling windows and covered oceanside decks, and the venue publishes a standing capacity of up to 400 guests with in-house catering and audio-visual support.

The venue sits within easy reach of central Auckland transport. Published venue information notes it is a short walk from Waitematā (Britomart) train station and central bus routes on Customs Street, with the Downtown Ferry Terminal nearby and public parking at the Downtown and Princes Wharf car parks. The surrounding Viaduct Harbour and waterfront precinct offers a concentration of CBD accommodation within walking distance.

Why it matters for NZ MICE

The RemNet Annual Conference is a long-running fixture on New Zealand's association-event calendar, with editions stretching back more than a decade across Auckland venues such as the Hilton, Pullman, Rydges and the University of Auckland. Its return to a dedicated waterfront venue for 2026, with a named two-day programme of local and national speakers, makes it a clear example of the specialist professional-association conference segment that anchors mid-week business events in the Auckland CBD. For the NZ MICE sector it represents repeat, sector-driven demand for city-centre conference space, catered networking functions and nearby delegate accommodation.