An invitation to Kia Tōnui - Flourish

Join us in Aotearoa New Zealand for the combined New Zealand, Australia Drama conference Kia Tōnui - Flourish!

Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, New Zealand
WELLINGTON EAST GIRLS’ COLLEGE
131 Austin Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington 6011

27 - 30 SEPTEMBER, 2024

Registrations are now closed

Kia Tōnui - Flourish, is all about coming together, planting the seed of innovation, and nurturing it until it thrives and flourishes in the drama classroom. We believe this international conference brings the very best of drama professionals from all around to share their thoughts, their expertise, and their ideas so we can continue to grow as drama educators.

We have over 70 sessions ranging in topics from incorporating drama in a primary classroom to an in-depth three hour session on devising. There are workshops on the cultural and historical significance of drama in Aotearoa and Australia, and how drama strategies can play a part in climate, political and social change.

Delegates who have paid their registration fees will be sent a form to make their selections.

DOWNLOAD ABSTRACTS AND BIOS

We’re so excited to be able to share some snippets from our amazing programme. Click on the image to read the full description.

Gather in Aotearoa New Zealand in the embrace of our unique whānau/community to share the riches of storytelling through whakaari/drama and theatre in education, to create new ways to regenerate, revive and thrive as creative educators and artists. In this Drama New Zealand and Drama Australia combined conference we will consider our foundational roots, cast the seeds of the imagination, and nurture the multiple ways to sustain and grow our practice, so that our communities can be nourished by changes much needed for the future. It is time to celebrate the many ways we flourish in our work.

Our 2024 conference Kia Tōnui /Flourish aims to:

Nurture the roots that sustain us, examine what we have achieved and consider how those strong foundations continue to shape practice and research today,
Trace the branches of new growth and flourishing ahead. Gather as whakaari /drama educators and whanau/family together to tell critical stories of artistry in practice and research.

Plant seeds of innovative pedagogy and research in drama education and consider the conditions needed for imagination and growth in difficult and unpredictable times and futures.

Celebrate and share successful practices and research in drama and theatre education in schools and communities that enable our field of drama education, participants, and educators to Kia Tōnui /Flourish.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships - Drama NZ are offering four scholarships of $500 each for Aotearoa New Zealand Applicants to attend this year’s Conference. APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2024.

PPTA Grants - The Learning and Development Centre, thanks to the funding support of the Ministry of Education, is pleased to restart the Subject Association Grant of up to $750 (inc GST) to attend a Subject Association run event. This grant is to support kaiako’s professional learning and development to attend conferences, workshops or subject-specific courses. It can be used to cover registration, travel, meals, childcare and accommodation to a total value of $750 (including GST). The grant cannot be used to cover relief.

Learn more here!

TRADE EXPO - Registrations are now closed

WELLINGTON ACCOMMODATION

We are excited to welcome you to our combined conference hosted by Drama NZ and Drama Australia. Wellington is our capital of Aotearoa, and a vibrant, exciting city to visit and explore.

Below is a list of hotels that are near or around the conference location which is Wellington East Girls College. There are some great websites and apps that you can use that offer deals on accommodation such as Hotels.com, Expedia.com, or AirBnB.co.nz.

The list of hotels below are organised in walking and driving distance from the venue.

Walking: less than 10 minutes/ Driving (Uber/Taxi): 2 minutes in little traffic

Marksman Motor Inn

Walking: 15 - 25 minutes/ Driving (Uber/Taxi): 5-10 minutes in little traffic

Microtel by Wyndam Wellington
U Boutique Hotel
Ramada by Wyndam Wellington Taranaki Street
Cambridge Hotel
Halswell Lodge
Apollo Lodge Motel
Ascot Motor Lodge
Southgate Motor Inn
Willis Wellington Hotel
Naumi Studio Wellington
QT Wellington
Oaks Wellington Hotel
Sojourn Apartment Hotel

EXCITING ACTIVITIES TO DO IN WELLINGTON

Wellington is a vibrant and jam-packed city! There are tons to see and do, and we’d thought we would put together a list of events, activities, and fun things to do while you visit our amazing city.

Tourist Sightseeing