Stormwater is a taonga: Managing challenges and opportunities
Join us to explore traditional knowledge (Mātauranga Māori) alongside new innovations, technical papers and engaging case studies, and consider how, by recognising stormwater as a taonga, we can help to create resilience and sustainable systems for our future
‘Ka ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora ngā tāngata’
‘If the water is healthy, the land is healthy, the people are healthy’
Abstract portal opens on Thursday, 5 November 2026
Themes:
The Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference Committee invites you to submit a paper, poster, or workshop, which is in line with the following themes.
1. Kaupapa Māori
Recognising te ao Māori, mātauranga Māori and mana whenua leadership in how wai is understood, valued and managed. Topics may include:
- Mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori approaches
- Mana whenua-led projects and programmes
- Kaitiakitanga (guardianship), manaakitanga (care and respect) and mauri (life force)
- Bicultural design, monitoring and outcomes
- Partnerships and co-design
2. Climate Adaptation and Flood Resilience
Planning for changing climate conditions, flood risk and continued urban growth. Topics may include:
- Flood hazard, risk and consequence management
- Climate adaptation pathways and uncertainty
- Growth, intensification and climate-ready infrastructure
- Exceedance, residual risk and compound flooding
- Engagement, partnerships and community preparedness, response and recovery
3. Water-sensitive Urban Design and Nature-based Solutions
Integrating stormwater with urban design and working with natural processes. Topics may include:
- Water-sensitive, low-impact design and nature-based approaches
- Blue-green networks and making space for water
- Streams, wetlands, floodplains and riparian corridors
- Catchment planning and urban retrofit
- Performance, maintenance and adaptive management
4. Water Quality and Healthy Receiving Environments
Protecting and improving the environments that receive and convey stormwater. Topics may include:
- Source control and emerging contaminants
- Erosion and sediment management
- Stormwater treatment and performance
- Stream, wetland, estuarine and coastal health
- Hydrology, geomorphology, ecology and monitoring
5. Stormwater Futures: Innovation, Technology and Policy
Advancing how stormwater is planned, designed, operated and funded. Topics may include:
- Digital tools, modelling, data and artificial intelligence
- Policy reform, governance and integrated water management
- Asset design, operation, renewal and lifecycle management
- Engineering, construction and research innovation
- Funding, procurement, delivery and industry capability
6. Other
Doesn’t fit neatly above? We still welcome your paper, poster or workshop proposal.
Why Present?
Presenting at the Stormwater Conference gives you the opportunity to:
- Profile your research, projects or initiatives
- Connect with hundreds of water industry professionals
- Develop and share your professional experience
There are three presentation formats
- Oral Presentations – 20-minute PowerPoint presentations, followed by audience questions
- Poster Presentations – Design a poster to be displayed digitally on interactive screens, including a short 5-minute presentation.
- Workshops – One-hour interactive workshops. Proposals for these should be sent to katrina.guy@waternz.org.nz.
Abstract portal opens on Thursday, 5 November 2026
Oral Presentations
Submitting Your Abstract
All abstracts must be submitted by 11:59pm (NZDT) on Thursday, 28 January 2027. Authors will be notified of the outcome of their submission in late February 2027.
There are two options for submitting your Abstract:
- Short Abstract, Full Paper & Presentation: A 500-word abstract is to be submitted for review. On acceptance to the programme, a full paper is to be prepared and submitted for review by Tuesday, 6 April 2027. Presentation materials are to be prepared and submitted by Wednesday, 5 May 2027
- Long Abstract & Presentation Only: A longer 1,500-word abstract is to be submitted for review. No final paper is required. Presentation materials are to be prepared and submitted by Wednesday, 5 May 2027
Timeline
- Abstract portal opens: Thursday, 5 November 2026
- Abstract portal closes: Thursday, 28 January 2027
- Authors are notified: Late February 2027
- Accepted presenters are required to register for the Conference. Discounted speaker registration rates are available for oral, poster and workshop presenters.
- Final Papers are due (Short Abstract pathway): Tuesday, 6 April 2027
- PowerPoint presentations due (all accepted oral presenters): Wednesday, 5 May 2027.
Abstract Scoring and Acceptance
Each abstract is reviewed by multiple volunteers from the Water New Zealand Stormwater Group; often members of the Stormwater committee, other industry professionals and volunteers, or people who have volunteered through Water New Zealand callouts.
Abstracts are scored out of 10, against six criteria. These criteria are given equal weighting.
The scoring criteria are:
- Clarity and Quality – Is the abstract clear and logically set out (i.e. does it clearly define the topic, findings and conclusions)? Is it of suitable quality for publication and presentation at a national conference?
- Content, Including Innovation – Is the topic interesting, novel or innovative (or is it business as usual)? Does it appear that the paper/presentation will add to the available knowledge?
- Demonstrated Results and Conclusions – Does the abstract summarise clear results, findings, or conclusions? Are these backed up?
- Relevance to the Current State of the Industry – How relevant is the topic to current practice, developments in practice, or the future of the industry?
- Wider Applicability – Does it appear that the paper/presentation will be useful to others in the wider industry? Does it have broader applications (i.e. education or community outcomes)?
- Alignment with Themes – How well does the paper align with the overall theme, and subthemes?
The highest-scoring abstracts (using averaged scores from all reviewers) are selected for the conference. For even more helpful information check out the Water New Zealand Presentation Guide: Water New Zealand (waternz.org.nz)
Presentation Format
- All presentations MUST be in PowerPoint format (16:9 widescreen)
- Logos may ONLY appear on the first and last slides of your presentation
- Make sure your presentation is easy to read
- Use readable fonts
- Limit clashing colours
Poster Presentations
We are also opening up expressions of interest for the Stormwater Conference & Expo 2027 Posters.
Posters will be prominently displayed digitally at the conference. Poster presenters will also have the opportunity to present their posters to delegates and the judging panel during a lunch break. Following the judging panel’s review, the winner will be announced at the Conference Dinner.
Entry Criteria
Entries are welcome on any topic of relevance to the water industry, with entries from students particularly encouraged.
A 500-word Abstract should be submitted via the portal by Thursday, 28 January 2027
All poster presenters agree to the following:
- A Poster is to be designed and submitted by Thursday, 29 April 2027.
- Posters will be displayed digitally on interactive screens and must be supplied as PDF files in a 9:16 aspect ratio (portrait orientation). For posters designed using pixel-based software, the recommended dimensions are 2160 × 3840 pixels.
- Presenters must be onsite to deliver a 5-minute presentation of the poster to the delegation and to a judging panel.
All poster submissions are subject to approval.
Judging Panel and Criteria
Posters are assessed by the judging panel on the following criteria:
- Technical content
- Practical content
- Future use
- Clarity and logic
- Standard of the verbal presentation
Best Poster Award
The award for best poster will be presented at the Conference Dinner.
Timeline
- Abstract portal opens: Thursday, 5 November 2026
- Poster portal closes: Thursday, 28 January 2027
- Poster authors are notified: Late February 2027
- Accepted presenters are required to register for the Conference. Discounted speaker registration rates are available for oral, poster and workshop presenters.
- Final poster PDF due: Thursday, 29 April 2027
Questions?
Please contact: waternz@avenues.co.nz
Workshops
We welcome expressions of interest for one-hour interactive workshops that engage delegates in exploring topical issues, sharing knowledge and developing practical solutions.
Workshops will be co-chaired by a member of the Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference Committee.
If you are interested in facilitating a workshop, please email a brief proposal outlining your proposed topic, objectives and format to Katrina Guy at katrina.guy@waternz.org.nz.
Terms and Conditions
By submitting an abstract for the Stormwater Conference & Expo 2027, authors agree to the following terms and conditions:
- Submission and Review: All abstracts must be submitted by Thursday, 28 January 2027. Submissions will be reviewed by the Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference Committee, and acceptance is not guaranteed.
- Presenter Registration: Accepted presenters are required to register for the Conference. Discounted registration rates are available for accepted oral and poster presenters.
- Submission Deadlines: Accepted presenters must meet all relevant deadlines for full papers, PowerPoint presentations and posters.
- Presentation Requirements: Oral presentations must be supplied in PowerPoint format (16:9 widescreen). Digital posters must be supplied as PDF files in a 9:16 portrait format.
- Attendance: Presenters are expected to attend the Conference and deliver their presentations in person, including participation in any applicable judging requirements.
- Publication of Materials: All documents and materials submitted as part of the Conference, including abstracts, full papers, presentations and posters, will be published on the Water New Zealand website and made publicly available. By submitting, authors consent to the publication of these materials.
- Programme Changes: The Conference Committee reserves the right to determine the final programme, presentation format and scheduling, and to make changes where necessary.
- Content Responsibility: Authors are responsible for ensuring their submissions are accurate, original, appropriately acknowledge the work of others, and have the necessary permissions for any third-party content included.
