New Zealand
The eighth international “Fascination of Plants Day” around 18 May 2026 will be launched by plant scientists across the world under the umbrella of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO).
The goal of this activity is to get as many people as possible around the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture and sustainable production of nutritious food, as well as for horticulture, forestry and the production of plant-based non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy and pharmaceuticals. The role of plants in environmental conservation is also a key message.
Everybody is welcome to join this initiative!
Convenors: Robert Schaffer, Bioeconomy Science Institute and Karine David, University of Auckland
The QRW Plant Satellite will be held at the Te Pae Convention Centre 3-4 September 2026. The meeting will start off with the QRW Plenary on Wednesday evening (2 Sept), followed by two full days of sessions concluding at 5:30 pm on Friday (4 Sept).
This meeting is joined with the New Zealand Society for Plant Biology and will host keynote addresses from the NZSPB Roger Slack Award and the Michael McManus Student Award winners.
The program offers excellent national and international networking opportunities and there will be dedicated slots for student talks and posters.
Registration opens in May, follow this link: Registration – Queenstown New Zealand. This is a block B meeting.
Current themes covered: New Breeding Technologies, Plant Reproduction, Plant-Microbe Interactions, Genomics & AI, Plant Development, Cellular Structures, and Secondary Metabolites.
Confirmed Plenary Speakers:
– Prof Andrew Allan – The Bioeconomy Science Institute PFR, The University of Auckland (Genomics, new breeding technologies).
– Dr Sera Choi – School of Life and Environment, The University of Sydney, Australia (Plant Immunity)
– Prof George Coupland – Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Germany (Flower development).
– Prof Hong Ma – Pennsylvania State University (Genomics and plant reproduction).
– Prof Jim Whelan – College of Life Science, Zhejiang University (Plant development and energy metabolism).
– Dr Yunliu Zeng – Hangzhou Agricultural University (Secondary metabolism).
The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network is excited to announce its next conference for 12th – 15th October 2026, at Te Wharewaka Function Centre, Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington. Registration is now open.
The theme is Māhia ngā here – Collaboration for better conservation. This theme celebrates the power of working together, reflecting on past and present collaborations in plant conservation, and exploring how we can strengthen these connections for the future.
Monday 12 October
- Workshops (see link for venues and times)
- 100-year anniversary of the Ōtari Native Botanic Garden and Wilton’s Bush Reserve (3 – 4 pm speeches, 4 – 6:30 drinks and nibbles)
Tuesday 13 October
- Symposia at Te Wharewaka Function Centre
Wednesday 14 October
- Symposia at Te Wharewaka Function Centre
- Conference dinner & awards ceremony at the Mount Victoria Bowling Club
Thursday 15 October
- Field trips (see link for details)