The Prevention Imperative: New Zealand Universal Wellbeing Conference 2026

About the Conference

The 2nd New Zealand Prevention Imperative: Universal Wellbeing Conference 2026 will bring together leaders, practitioners, researchers, educators, and decision makers who are committed to strengthening prevention focused approaches to wellbeing across Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

Building on the momentum of previous Universal Wellbeing events, this conference focuses on moving from awareness to implementation and strategic action. It will explore how evidence based prevention frameworks and Implementation Science approaches can help improve wellbeing outcomes across organisations, communities, and national systems.

The conference draws on the Universal Wellbeing Model and the emerging Prevention Universal Wellbeing Charter, both of which are being developed through ongoing research by the FREEDOM Wellbeing Institute and the New Zealand Curriculum Design Institute.

Participants will have the opportunity to contribute to conversations that support the development of New Zealand’s Implementation Science Prevention Universal Wellbeing Strategy. This work aims to strengthen national wellbeing capability, workforce performance, education systems, health outcomes, and long term economic and social resilience.

What Makes This Conference Different

Unlike general wellbeing events, this conference is designed as a research driven, systems focused forum.

The conference will explore:

• Implementation Science strategies that support measurable improvements in wellbeing outcomes
• Primordial prevention approaches that strengthen long term Universal Wellbeing
• Cross sector research, evaluation, and data resources organisations can apply
• Capability building programmes supporting policy alignment and action
• Practical frameworks organisations can implement within their own systems

Key Outcomes for Attendees

Participants will gain access to:

• New research findings and prevention frameworks ready for real world implementation
• Cross sector insights from leaders working across government, education, health, social services, business, and community sectors
• Strategic discussions on strengthening organisational Universal Wellbeing capability
• Opportunities to contribute to the development of national prevention strategies

The conference will also mark the national launch of The Source, a new resource platform supporting prevention focused Universal Wellbeing practitioners and organisations.

Who Should Attend

This conference is designed for people working across sectors including:

Government and policy leaders
Education and research professionals
Health and public health practitioners
Community and social service leaders
Business and organisational leaders
Wellbeing practitioners and evaluators

Anyone interested in strengthening prevention focused approaches to wellbeing will find value in participating.

Important Information

Date
8–9 October 2026

Location
The Parnell Hotel & Conference Centre
Auckland, New Zealand

Hosted by
The Free Research and Educational Equity Trust

Sponsored by
FREEDOM Wellbeing Institute
New Zealand Curriculum Design Institute (NZCDI)