Dunedin has won the International Deer Biology Congress in 2026, expected to attract up to 500 cervid researchers and professionals to the ‘unofficial wildlife capital of New Zealand’.
Themed ‘Your Deer Here’, the conference will take place in February 2026 at the University of Otago. Attendees are expected to be biologists, ecologists, veterinarians, geneticists, wildlife managers, conservationists, and food, health, and production researchers.
The event will host discussions on the diverse aspects of deer management and biology from various perspectives globally.
2026 will be the first time the event has been held in New Zealand since Dunedin hosted the inaugural event in 1983. The winning bid was led by scientist Jamie Ward from AgResearch, with support from the Tourism New Zealand Business Events team among others.
Ward said: “Dunedin was chosen for its iconic legacy with this Congress and its strength in Deer Science. To get the news of hosting this Congress not long after we celebrated the milestone of 50 years of Deer Science at Invermay makes it even more special.
He explained that, by hosting the event, organisers hope to showcase New Zealand as a destination, alongside its approaches to deer, techniques, and technologies.
Events come to NZ
Alongside plenary sessions, presentations and poster sessions, the programme will include a Field Day tour of the internationally renowned Invermay Agricultural Centre and a local commercial deer breeding farm. Delegates will also explore the wildlife of the Otago Peninsula.
Tourism New Zealand general manager of NZ and Business Events, Bjoern Spreitzer, added: “This international congress provides multiple benefits for New Zealand, bringing high-quality visitors to our shores who will explore Aotearoa as well as sharing their expertise and building networks with our local specialists.”
The win follows a string of international conferences in Dunedin over 2023:
- The International Foundation of Fashion and Technology (IFFTI) in April
- The International Symposium Adapted Physical Activity in July
- The 9th Asia Pacific International Congress of Anatomists (9th APICA)
- The 20th Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists (ANZACA) Conference in November
- The World Leisure Congress 2023 in December.
In January 2024, the city will welcome the International Human Resources Conference, and the History of Science and Technology Congress 2025.
