NZSSS Conference 2026
30th November - 3rd December 2026,
Chateau on the Park, Ōtautahi Christchurch
Field Trips
Thursday 3 December
The field trips are a highlight of the Conference and are scheduled for Thursday 3 December. You can book a field trip when you register online.
Banks Peninsula
Price: $150
Banks Peninsula – Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū is a distinctive eco-physiographic unit. Its mafic volcanic substrate sets it apart from the dominant greywacke-derived lithologies of the plains and Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. Together with its island origins it is now a hotspot for high biodiversity and endemism. Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū falls within the takiwa of four Papatipu Rūnanga, Koukourārata, Rāpaki, Ōnuku and Wairewa. Later European arrivals were responsible for removal of much of the original forest and then development of a largely pastoral agricultural-based economy. Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū is now a hotspot of ecological restoration as awareness of its inherent values grows. This trip will consider the geological and geomorphological history of peninsula, which has laid the foundation for the ecological, cultural and economic layers draped upon it. A Banks Peninsula/Te Pataka o Rakaihautu Geopark concept will provide an overarching theme.
Red Zone
Price: $120
The Christchurch Residential Red Zone (RZ) encompasses approximately 630 hectares of land vacated following the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence. Liquefaction and lateral spreading rendered over 8,000 residential properties unrepairable. Soil contamination with lead, arsenic, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons presents ongoing environmental and public health risks, including impacts on estuary shellfish and nearby community gardens. Conventional remediation (excavation or capping) is economically and hydrologically infeasible at this scale. This field trip demonstrates phytomanagement as an alternative strategy: native vegetation and municipal waste-derived soil conditioners (compost and biochar) are used to immobilise contaminants, establish native biodiversity, and align with the Ŏtākaro Avon River Corridor’s long-term land-use goals.
Lincoln: Regenerative Agriculture & Low N Dairy Experiments
Price: $150
Visit regenerative agriculture (RADE) experiment at LU campus. Speakers will cover experimental design and objectives (Dr Alistair Black), soils (Prof Jim Moir, pastures and forages (PhD student?) and animal production. After lunch visit LU Dairy Research Farm (LUDRF) research sites. Experiments include the large array suction cup experiment and low-N forage experiment. Speakers Assoc-Prof Racheal Bryant and Dr Omar Al-Marashdeh.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
Conference Chair: Carol Smith - Lincoln University
Diana Selbie - AgResearch - Bioeconomy Science Institute
Pierre Roudier - Landcare Research
Natalie Bartlett - AgResearch - Bioeconomy Science Institute
Aimee Dawson - WSP
Brett Robinson - University of Canterbury
Mingyuan Liu - University of Canterbury
Kirstin Deuss - Manaaki Whenua - Bioeconomy Science Institute
Julie Gillespie - Environment Canterbury
Hadee Thompson-Morrison - Manaaki Whenua - Bioeconomy Science Institute
Jim.Moir - Lincoln University
Brendon Malcolm - Plant & Food - Bioeconomy Science Institute
KEY DATES 2026
Abstract submissions open – 16 April
Registrations open – May
Abstract submissions close – 31 July
Abstracts reviewed – 22 August
Author notification – 5 September
Draft programme released – 19 September
Earlybird registration closes – 15 October
CONFERENCE CONTACT
Lea Boodee, OnCue Conferences