7th Biennial ANZ Student Chapter Conference, 24-27 October 2025, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand

The four day event was hosted by Massey University and the Cetacean Ecology Research Group (CERG). The conference commenced at the Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre (MERC) where the attendees participated in a mihi whakatau (traditional Māori welcome ceremony) and travellers were accommodated.

Over the next two days, 25 students presented their research, and there were five presentations from the chapter heads. There were five guest speakers including Dr. Phillipa Brakes, Dr. Leena Riekkola, Dr. Katharina Peters, Dr. Emma Betty, and Professor Karen Stockin. Attendees were fortunate enough to take part in a common dolphin necropsy workshop with CERG at their state-of-the-art Cetacean Pathology Unit laboratory.

Other activities included rock pooling in the intertidal zone in front of MERC, a networking dinner at Something & Social Albany on Saturday night, a marine mammal themed quiz night on Sunday, another group dinner on Monday at the Long Bay Surf Club followed by a nocturnal walk to see glow worms.