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Association Lunches & Connection Events

NZSAE Hosts relaxed, purposeful gathering throughout the year – from early year networking to our my three key lunches in July and other opportunities to reconnect, share insights and strengthen relationships across this association sector

Throughout the year, NZSAE hosts a series of association lunches and connection events in Auckland, Wellington, and around the country. These gatherings are designed to bring association professionals together in a relaxed, purposeful setting — creating space to reconnect, share experiences, and strengthen relationships across the sector.

From informal networking events early in the year, to our Matariki Association Lunches in June, and other opportunities to come together throughout the calendar, each event offers time out of the day-to-day to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and build relationships that support your work and your organisation.

Open to CEOs, senior leaders, and association professionals at all stages, NZSAE lunches and connection events are about meaningful conversation, shared learning, and reinforcing the sense of community that underpins strong associations.

Register HERE

    • 07 July 2026
    • 11:30 AM - 1:45 PM
    • Legislative Council, Huihui, Parliament - Wellington
    Register

    Mark Matariki with the Association Community
    Join us this July for our annual Matariki Lunch — a time to gather with association colleagues, pause together, and acknowledge the Māori New Year through connection, reflection, and shared conversation.

    Matariki invites us to look back on the year that has passed and consider what lies ahead. For associations, it’s a fitting moment to reflect on purpose, people, and the role our organisations play in strengthening communities across New Zealand.

    Guest Speaker: To be announced
    Our keynote speaker will provide timely insight relevant to association leaders, offering perspective to help frame the year ahead within a changing national and global context.

    What to Expect:

    • A welcoming moment that recognises the significance of Matariki.
    • A keynote address offering insight and reflection for association leadership.
    • Time to reconnect with peers from across the association sector.
    • Shared kai in a relaxed and respectful setting.

    This lunch is an opportunity to step away from the pace of work, acknowledge the year that has been, and reconnect with the people who understand the realities of association life.

    Spaces are limited. Early registration is recommended.

    Register now and join us for a meaningful Matariki gathering with the association community.

    CAE Credits
    This event is offered as part of NZSAE’s CAE Approved Provider status and may qualify for 1 CAE credit toward your professional development requirements. The content aligns with the CAE exam content outline under Member Stakeholder Engagement Management . Learn more at www.asaecenter.org/cae.

    • 22 July 2026
    • 11:30 AM - 1:45 PM
    • Aotea Centre
    Register

    Mark Matariki with the Association Community
    Join us this July for our annual Matariki Lunch — a time to gather with association colleagues, pause together, and acknowledge the Māori New Year through connection, reflection, and shared conversation.

    Matariki invites us to look back on the year that has passed and consider what lies ahead. For associations, it’s a fitting moment to reflect on purpose, people, and the role our organisations play in strengthening communities across New Zealand.

    Guest Speaker: To be announced
    Our keynote speaker will provide timely insight relevant to association leaders, offering perspective to help frame the year ahead within a changing national and global context.

    What to Expect:

    • A welcoming moment that recognises the significance of Matariki.
    • A keynote address offering insight and reflection for association leadership.
    • Time to reconnect with peers from across the association sector.
    • Shared kai in a relaxed and respectful setting.

    This lunch is an opportunity to step away from the pace of work, acknowledge the year that has been, and reconnect with the people who understand the realities of association life.

    Spaces are limited. Early registration is recommended.

    Register now and join us for a meaningful Matariki gathering with the association community.

    CAE Credits
    This event is offered as part of NZSAE’s CAE Approved Provider status and may qualify for 1 CAE credit toward your professional development requirements. The content aligns with the CAE exam content outline under Member Stakeholder Engagement Management . Learn more at www.asaecenter.org/cae.

    • 28 July 2026
    • 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
    • Te Pae - Christchurch Convention Centre
    Register

    Christchurch Association Lunch + Ask Me Anything Session

    Join us in Christchurch for a practical and collegial gathering designed for association and membership organisation professionals.

    We will begin the morning with an informal Ask Me Anything session — a self-directed, practical discussion where you can bring the issues, questions, or challenges currently sitting on your desk. Whether it is membership, governance, sponsorship, events, operations, board matters, or general association management, this is an opportunity to put the question on the table and work through possible solutions with others who understand the sector.

    This session is designed to be useful, open, and practical. No long presentations. No theory for the sake of it. Just real questions, shared experience, and sensible discussion around what works in the New Zealand association environment.

    Following the morning session, we will move into our Christchurch Association Lunch — a relaxed opportunity to connect with other association leaders and professionals, continue the conversation, and strengthen relationships across the sector.

    Programme

    10:30am – 12:00pm - Ask Me Anything: Practical Association Management Discussion
    Bring your questions around membership, governance, sponsorship, events, operations, systems, or any other association management issue. Your challenge may feel unique, but others in the room may be facing something similar. This is a practical, open discussion to share ideas, test thinking, and work through possible solutions together.

    Please note: I will also be available after lunch for anyone who would like to ask further questions or talk through a particular issue one-on-one.

    12:00pm – 1:30pm - Christchurch Association Lunch
    A relaxed networking lunch for association professionals and sector colleagues.

    This is a good opportunity to step away from the inbox, talk through the challenges that matter, and leave with some useful ideas, contacts, and practical next steps.

    Brett Jeffery, CAE

    Executive Director

     

    New Zealand Society of Association Executives Inc (NZSAE) 

Upcoming events



New Zealand Society of Association Executives Inc (NZSAE)

Te Hapori o nga Kaiwhakahaere Hononga o Aotearoa
Otonga Road
ROTORUA 3015
New Zealand 



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