Our 2024 conference will be based at Maketū marae in Kāwhia from 20 to 22 March.

The conference is hosted by Onepu Charitable Trust and Te Taiao o Kāwhia Moana. Our theme for the conference is Whatungarongaro te taangata, toitu te whenua / As man disappears from sight, the land remains.

We will be treated to a tour of Kāwhia Harbour by master navigator Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr (Tainui). We will hear from Hoturoa about navigating by the stars and the history of the Kāwhia area.

Our presenters will cover a range of topics from unwanted organisms (weed species) to the effects of land use and climate change on the moana and its coastal communities. There will be several field trips to take part in, to see how local organisations are working to protect and restore their coastal ecosystems.

Workshops will cover coastal plant identification, controlling invasive plants, a simple method of dune monitoring and enriching your restoration site. We will hear from some of the coastcare groups from around the country. 

A beautiful BBQ conference dinner will be provided to attendees on our first evening and on the following evening we will present a selection of videos from our short video series and provide a public forum for discussion on coastal restoration techniques, problems and solutions. 

Further details of the programme and our speakers will be added to our conference website as they are confirmed. 

We encourage attendees to stay on Maketū marae, the cost of the noho marae is included in your registration fee. If you prefer to stay elsewhere, please see the "Accommodation" page under the "Information section" on our conference website.

Please read the entire 'Important Information" section on our conference website before you register https://www.coastalrestorationconference.org.nz/important-information/