New Zealand will host major global
communications conference the International Association for Media and Communication
Research (IAMCR) in 2024 - almost 30 years after the event last took place in the Southern Hemisphere.
More than 1,000
international and national delegates are expected to convene in Ōtautahi
Christchurch at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre in July 2024, delivering
an estimated N$1.6m to the economy.
The conference will be
hosted by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha|University of Canterbury (UC) academics,
putting Indigenous knowledge at the centre of communication research. UC’s bid
for the conference was submitted in partnership with mana whenua (the local
tribe), with the support of ChristchurchNZ and Tourism New Zealand.
IAMCR president Nico
Carpentier and UC Tumu Whakarae|Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey
formally signed the Memorandum of Understanding and UC’s commitment to
supporting this conference.
The conference theme, Whiria
te tangata | Weave the people together: Communicative projects of decolonising,
engaging, and listening, invites reflection on the terms and models
appropriate to describe contemporary communication, including the political and
moral goals embedded in them.
Aotearoa New Zealand's
unique bicultural history and position make it an ideal location for this
conference.
Tourism New Zealand General
Manager NZ & Business Events Bjoern Spreitzer says: “New Zealand is a very
fitting host for this conference. The visitors attending IAMCR will not only be
able to explore our country, but our unique culture and perspectives.”
UC’s formal partnership
with local iwi Ngāi Tūāhuriri also contributed to the successful bid. UC is also home to the country’s first journalism school and is the only
institution in the country to offer a Māori communications major.
Supporting this conference
is a unique opportunity for our academics to share their perspectives on
Indigenous knowledge with the wider world and perhaps inspire communications
research globally,” said Professor De la Rey.
Professor Donald Matheson, the lead academic bringing
this conference to Ōtautahi Christchurch, said: “Holding the conference in
Aotearoa is a chance to put decolonising communication and Indigenous media at
the heart of academic thinking. It’s also a chance for this country to share
our experience of partnership between mana whenua and settler society.
It’s also about manaaki.
Mana whenua and the university are teaming up to welcome our manuhiri
(visitors) and provide an exceptional experience attendees won’t forget.”
ChristchurchNZ’s head of business events, Megan Crum added: “Delegates can expect ease of access through
our international airport, a warm welcome, a vibrant compact and walkable city
with incredible new infrastructure, and stunning regions to explore after the conference.”
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
