ANZCA ASM Auckland 1-5 May 2026 : 175 days to go
ANZCA ASM 2026

Welcome from the president and dean

Dear colleagues,

As a trans-Tasman college, we are looking forward to the 2026 ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) and the FPM Symposium in Auckland, New Zealand.

We are thrilled to have secured a state-of-the-art venue at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) for our 2026 ASM. The ASM is more than a calendar date; it’s an opportunity to re-connect with colleagues, exchange innovative ideas and create lasting impact as a community.

Dr Kerry Benson-Cooper, 2026 ASM convenor, collaborated with Tui Blair, the cultural advisor, and Chloē Reweti, a New Zealand-based graphic designer, for the 2026 ASM theme, “Herenga waka, herenga tāngata: From home to home”. A herenga waka is a physical place where waka are anchored at a safe harbour or resting point, and reflects a space of connection and safety for voyaging waka. It symbolises a complete journey of patients seeking care and healing, families offering love and support, and healthcare professionals dedicating themselves to looking after others through this journey.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the national organising committee, whose dedication and creativity have shaped an inspiring and dynamic scientific program that promises to spark ideas, cultivate collaboration and encourage innovation. We would also like to acknowledge all contributors for their efforts and planning that go into every presentation, discussion, and workshop. This meeting is simply not possible without valuable contributions from you all. We look forward to connecting with you in Auckland.

The FPM Symposium will be held on Friday 1 May at JW Marriott. Echoing the ASM, the symposium theme, “Kotahi tātou i te waka: United in the journey of pain care” honours the heritage of ancestral wayfarers, and their courage and adventuring spirit. The symposium will be an opportunity to delve into various critical aspects of pain management, with a program that emphasises the importance of providing equitable access to high-quality, evidence-based pain management solutions.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the world, exchange ideas and research, and build valuable professional networks that will extend beyond the meeting itself.

Professor Dave Story

ANZCA President

Dr Dilip Kapur

FPM Dean

ANZCA acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which the New Zealand International Convention Centre is located, where the 2026 ANZCA ASM will be held. We also acknowledge the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia and recognise their unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society, and pay our respects to ancestors and elders, past, present and emerging.

ANZCA recognises Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a foundational document that shapes the historical and cultural landscape of Aotearoa New Zealand and that informs our approach to medical education, research, and community engagement Tangata Whenua.



ANZCA acknowledges and respects Māori as the Tangata Whenua of Aotearoa and is committed to upholding the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, fostering the college’s relationship with Māori, supporting Māori fellows and trainees, and striving to improve the health of Māori.



The college recognises the special relationship between the Pacific peoples of New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific, and is committed to supporting those fellows and trainees of ANZCA, and improving the health of Pacific peoples.