Nau mai haere mai

Welcome to the 2026 International Play Association Conference

Ōtautahi, Aotearoa | Christchurch, New Zealand

2-5 November 2026

Join us in one of the world's greatest natural playgrounds, for the 2026 International Play Association Conference. Bringing together practitioners, educators, researchers, policy-makers and businesses to connect, collaborate and help shape the future of play.

The theme of the conference is Auahatia - innovating for play - and will explore bold, inclusive and culturally rich ways to create a world where all tamariki (children) have the right to play, their own way.

We’ll also dive into topics around kotahitanga - inclusion in play, and tākaro Māori - indigenous play - highlighting diverse voices, traditions and approaches that shape play across communities and cultures.

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