FAQs – 2026 IoD Leadership Conference

The IoD’s Annual Leadership Conference is New Zealand’s leading governance event – bringing together more than 500 directors and business leaders for two days of fresh insights, bold conversations and invaluable connections.

The 2026 IoD Leadership Conference will be held on 3 and 4 September at Tākina Convention and Events Centre, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington.  

The 2026 IoD Leadership Conference will focus on current challenges and risks boards are facing, with sessions exploring risk, AI, geopolitical shifts, climate and culture. The programme is designed to challenge and inspire directors and equip them with practical insights they can take straight back to the boardroom. 

The IoD Leadership Conference is designed for current and aspiring directors, board and committee chairs, senior executives, and professionals who work closely with boards. 

The 2026 IoD Leadership Conference will be delivered as a hybrid event with a livestream option. Virtual attendees will be able to watch selected plenary sessions live and access recordings after the event. Registration for online tickets will be made available in June.

You can view the latest schedule, including session descriptions and timings here .  The programme is subject to change and will be updated as speakers and sessions are confirmed. 

Our 2026 line-up will feature New Zealand and international leaders in governance and business. Confirmed keynote speakers and panelists are listed here.

Selected plenary sessions will be recorded and made available to attendees after the conference via the conference hub which we will send registered attendees access to post conference. Breakout sessions will not be recorded. 

Attending the full conference will count for 14 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points under the IoD Director Development framework. We will automatically log these CPD points for you, provided we can confirm your attendance at the conference. Please be sure to get your badge printed when you arrive, to ensure your attendance is logged.  

Yes, the programme includes breakout sessions tailored to different interests and sectors, such as climate governance, ethics, governing for vulnerable communities and Māori Governence. Check the schedule for the most up-to-date information.

You can register online via the IoD website here. Simply select your ticket type, complete the registration form and payment details, and you will receive a confirmation email once your registration is complete. 

Registration fees vary by ticket type (e.g. IoD member, non-member, group). Current pricing is listed here.  Your ticket includes access to all plenary and breakout sessions, conference materials, catering during the day, and networking at the conference dinner.  

IoD members receive a preferential rate on conference tickets. Group discounts are available for organisations registering 4 or more attendees. For group bookings, please contact conference@iod.org.nz.  

Yes you can support a future director to attend the IoD Leadership Conference.

By donating you can support an emerging leader to access valuable insights, networks, and governance development. Nominate a recipient or leave it with us to allocate where it’s needed most. You can donate at check out.

You can pay online by credit or debit card at the time of registration. If you require payment by invoice, please select the invoice option at checkout or contact conference@iod.org.nz to arrange. Please be sure to include billing information if required, to ensure it appears on the invoice generated.  

Yes, if you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another person from your organisation. Please email conference@iod.org.nz with the new attendee’s name, role, and contact details by Monday 24 August 2026 so we can update the registration. 

Cancellations received on or before 3 August 2026 will receive a partial refund less an administrative fee of 25%. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 3 August 2026, but transfers within your organization are permitted. You can view the full conference T&Cs policy here. To cancel your registration, email us at conference@iod.org.nz. 

The 2026 Leadership Conference will be held at Tākina Convention and Events Centre, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington. Wellington Combined Taxis have a taxi stand on Cable Street in front of Te Papa – right across the main entrance of Tākina. Most Wellington buses (including those from the airport and railway station) stop along Courtenay Place which is only a few minutes' walk from Tākina. Free bike, scooter, and skateboard parking is available at Te Papa. Padlocks can be rented free-of-charge.  

Tākina is conveniently located near several parking options, including the Te Papa carpark across Cable Street. Parking your car at Te Papa helps to support the mahi of Aotearoa New Zealand's national museum. Directly across Wakefield Street, you'll also find Reading on Wakefield (open all-day Monday-Sunday) and Barnett Street car park (open Monday-Sunday). You can review full parking information on Takina’s website.  

We have arranged special conference rates with selected accommodation providers near the venue. You can view recommended hotels and any discount codes here. It is important to note that accommodation is booked directly with the hotels and is subject to the hotel's T&C's. 

Yes. Conference signage and IoD staff will be available throughout the venue to help you find registration, plenary rooms, breakout spaces and catering areas. 

Registration opens from 7am on both conference days. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the first session to allow time for registration and networking. 

Please visit the registration desk located on the first level of Tākina to collect your conference name badge. Our team will be there to assist and answer any questions. 

Yes, we use the EventsAir app for live programme updates, speaker information and networking. Instructions on how to download and log in will be emailed to registered attendees before the event. 

Yes, complimentary Wi‑Fi will be available for conference attendees. Network details and password will be provided on the day and in the conference materials. 

The dress code for the conference is business casual, with the option of dressing up a little more for the Conference dinner on Thursday evening.  

Your conference ticket includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea on each conference day. The conference dinner is also included in any full conference or Thursday only registrations. You can purchase a guest ticket for dinner by contacting us at conference@iod.org.nz. 

You can share your dietary requirements when you register. We will work with our catering partners to accommodate common dietary needs (such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free). If you have specific or complex requirements, please contact us at conference@iod.org.nz by 3 August 2026.  

If you have a media query relating to our speakers or conference content please contact media@iod.org.nz. 

The venue offers access ramps at both main entrances, lifts to all floors, accessible toilets on all floors and convenient parents’ room on Level 1. For more information about venue accessibility, go here or contact us at conference@iod.org.nz to discuss your specific needs.  

Please indicate any accessibility needs when you register in the special requirements field of the registration form or contact us at conference@iod.org.nz to discuss how we can support your participation. 

If you require a companion or support person to attend with you, please contact us at conference@iod.org.nz to discuss available options and pricing. 

The conference includes dedicated networking breaks, including the welcome drinks on Wednesday, 2 September, morning and afternoon teas, lunch breaks and the conference dinner on Thursday, 3 September. These are designed to help you connect with fellow directors, speakers and sponsors. 

Yes, a conference dinner will be held on 3 September at Tākina. This is included in full conference registrations. Additional guest tickets can be purchased during registration. 

Yes, there will be an exclusive Chartered Member-only networking session at 6:00pm on Thursday 3 September. This will be clearly marked in the schedule. Access is included for eligible attendees. 

Yes. There will be opportunities to engage with speakers and IoD leaders during networking breaks and selected sessions.  

We will share important updates via email to registered attendees and, if applicable, through the conference app or event page. Please ensure your contact details are up to date and check your email in the lead-up to the event. Updates will be pushed live to the event app during the event, please refresh as required. 

If you have any questions before the conference, please contact the IoD events team at conference@iod.org.nz. 

After the event, we will share key resources such as session highlights, selected slides or recordings (where available), and CPD information via email.  

Yes, photography and videography will be captured during the conference to capture content for IoD communications and future promotion. If you have concerns about being photographed, please speak to a member of the events team at registration. We will share the photographs with all those who complete the post event survey. 

The IoD Leadership Conference is a professional event, and all attendees are expected to uphold the IoD Code of Conduct and behave respectfully towards others. We are committed to delivering quality events within safe and respectful environments for all attendees to share knowledge, express their thoughts and opinions and network. All attendees are to act in a respectful and responsible manner towards other attendees, venue staff and IoD staff and contractors, and have the highest standards of ethical behaviour, i.e. consistent with the IoD’s Code of Practice. If you have any concerns about your own or another person’s conduct at the conference, please contact a member of the IoD team.  

We collect and use your personal information in line with the IoD privacy policy, including for managing your registration and communicating about the conference. You can view our privacy policy here. 

If the conference is postponed, cancelled or required to switch to fully virtual by IoD due to unforeseen circumstances, we will notify registered attendees as soon as possible and outline the options available, which may include transferring registrations to new dates or providing refunds. 

We will follow all applicable health and safety requirements in place at the time of the event, including any Government or venue guidelines. Further details will be provided closer to the conference date and on-site signage will outline key information for attendees.