SAPE 2026 Conference
Description
We are excited to announce that the 11th International Meeting of the Society of Avian Paleontology and Evolution (SAPE) will be held from Monday 19th - Friday 23rd October 2026 in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Please consider presenting your work on any aspect of avian evolution including:
- palaeontology and palaeobiology,
- functional morphology,
- avian ichnology
- phylogeny, and
- molecular systematics, etc.
Presentations can be given in either oral or poster format.
Location
Christchurch, known as New Zealand’s “Garden City,” is the largest city in the South Island. It is located in the Canterbury region, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Southern Alps to the west.
The conference will be held at the iconic Christchurch Town Hall, renowned for its award-winning architecture. Nestled on the picturesque banks of the Ōtākaro/Avon River in the heart of the Christchurch CBD, this facility offers a truly inspiring setting for our gathering!
Feel free to check out some of what Christchurch has to offer at https://www.newzealand.com/nz/christchurch/.
Climate: October is spring in Aotearoa New Zealand. The daytime average reaches 17 °C (62 °F),
although note that Christchurch is known for having ‘four seasons in one day’.
Accommodation: The conference venue is centrally located, with many accommodation options within walking distance or a short drive.
For more information visit the meeting website: www.SAPE2026.org
Conference Schedule
We currently have four full days scheduled for regular conference sessions. In addition, we have museum collection visits and an icebreaker event on Monday, an evening auction on Thursday, and a conference dinner scheduled for Friday.
There will also be pre and post-conference fieldtrip options offered.
Please note that the meeting schedule is subject to change.
Pre-Conference Field Trip
We invite delegates to discover the North Canterbury Waipara region. This includes the Waipara
Greensand, which has produced world-famous Paleocene bird fossils.
Official Conference Proceedings
Monday 19th October: Afternoon visit to Canterbury Museum; evening Icebreaker get-together
Tuesday 20th October: Two sessions, morning and afternoon
Wednesday 21st October: Two sessions, morning and afternoon (including poster session)
Thursday 22nd October: Two sessions, morning and afternoon; evening auction
Friday 23rd October: Two sessions, morning and afternoon; conference dinner
Post-Conference Field Trip
Sunday 25th October – Wednesday 28th October
The post-conference field trip is a 4-day adventure through the South Island’s fossil-rich regions with
stops at exciting locations such as the Moeraki Boulders and St Bathans fossil sites. Spaces on the
trip are limited.
FAQs
- Will the main conference be catered and is this included in my registration?
Yes, your registration price includes full catering for the main conference from Tuesday 20th to Friday 23rd October, including morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea for all four days.
You are also welcome to purchase your own lunch during the conference, with plenty of local eateries within walking distance of the conference venue.
- Does my registration include the museum visit and icebreaker?
Yes, the registration price does include the Canterbury Museum collections visit and the icebreaker event (including drinks and canapés), which will both be held on Monday, 19th October.
We look forward to seeing you there.
- Does my registration include the conference dinner?
No, the registration price does not include the conference dinner on Friday 23rd October.
If you wish to attend the conference dinner, please remember to purchase a dinner ticket when you register.
Plus ones not registered for the conference are welcome to attend the dinner, please remember to purchase them their own dinner ticket at checkout.
- Does my registration include a SAPE membership?
Yes, the registration price does include a three year SAPE (Society of Avian Paleontology and Evolution) membership.
- Does my registration include field trips?
No, the registration price does not include field trips associated with the conference.
Please register your interest in attending pre and post-conference field trips via the conference website at www.SAPE2026.org.
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