WasteMINZ and the Australasian Land & Groundwater Association (ALGA) are partnering to bring you the 2026 Conference in Wellington. This will be the largest gathering of waste, resource recovery, and contaminated land professionals in Aotearoa. With 600-650 delegates expected, this is a must-attend event for anyone working in the sector.

Join us to be inspired, learn about innovative projects, hear case studies, network, and build connections with your peers. 

This year, we'll be hosting the annual TAO Forum and CLM workshop, as well as a new Emerging Professionals workshop for contaminated land and groundwater professionals, and a new Women in Industry breakfast. We are also offering two site visits in the Wellington region. 

Important information

• Group rates are only applicable for Full Conference Packages (three days). Any add-ons, such as workshops and site visits are not applicable for a further discount. 
• Three day registrations include a ticket to the Gala Dinner on Wednesday, 20 May.
• Student registrations are available only to attendees who study full-time. You must provide evidence that your study is full-time. 
• Attendees who are registering for one or two days can also buy Gala Dinner tickets through the registration form. 
• Individuals can register for the workshop or site tours ONLY - simply select "Site tour only" or "workshop only" in the applicable field. 
• If you are eligible for multiple discounts, only the highest value discount will be applied to your invoice. This includes group registrations - for example, if you are a speaker and registering as part of a group, you will receive a 10% discount as that is the highest applicable. 
• You cannot split a three-day registration amongst employees. For example, if two people want to attend two different days, they must register individually for those particular days.  
• An invoice will be sent to your allocated billing contact once your membership and registration details have been checked. This could be between 24-28 hours after you have submitted the registration. The invoice will provide you with an option to pay via credit card. 
• WasteMINZ + ALGA Conference 2026 cancellation policy:
  • Should you be unable to attend once you have registered, you are welcome to reassign your registration to another member of your team. If you are unable to arrange a replacement, a refund less an administration charge of $150 + GST will be made, providing notification has been received no later than 20 April 2026. After 20 April 2026, unfortunately no refund is possible.
  • Cancellation of your registration must be in writing and WasteMINZ will acknowledge this by return email. 
  • To receive the applicable registration rate (e.g. Super Saver), all invoices must be paid by the due date.
  • WasteMINZ and ALGA in their sole discretion reserve the right to alter, change, amend or remove portions of the conference programme. Such alterations are not grounds for cancellation of attendance.
  • We reserve the right to charge overdue fees, interest and collection costs on all accounts not paid by their due date.

Check out our range of workshops and extras that you can add to your conference package. Please note that each of these have limited numbers - so get in quick! 

TAO Forum

Monday, 18 May: 10am - 5pm, followed by networking drinks

The TAO Forum is open to TAO Forum members only, and is an opportunity for council staff to come together and discuss joint opportunities, challenges and potential solutions. 

CLM & Groundwater workshop

Groundwater and contaminant transport dynamics for contaminated land professionals

Monday, 18 May: 10am - 5pm, followed by networking drinks

Join this one-day CLM workshop exploring groundwater and contaminant fate and transport dynamics in New Zealand contaminated land practice. Specifically designed for New Zealand practitioners with baseline hydrogeology knowledge, the programme uses real case studies to unpack conceptual site models, plume behaviour, investigation methods, regulatory drivers, and practical management strategies. Through guided discussion and applied examples, the workshop covers assessment tools, remedial options, and reporting expectations grounded in real project scenarios. A group of New Zealand's top practitioners have jointly prepared the workshop and will share their local and international experience with attendees. We warmly invite contaminated land professionals to join us for a practical, engaging day of shared learning and discussion.

Emerging Professionals workshop

Contaminated land and groundwater management professionals only

Monday, 18 May: 1pm - 5pm, followed by networking drinks

Women in Industry breakfast

Tuesday, 19 May: 7am - 8.15am

Start your day off with an inspirational panel discussion by influential women in leadership in our industry, alongside a delicious breakfast. Includes buffet breakfast with tea, coffee and juice. 

Site visits

Thursday, 21 May: 1pm-5pm. 

You have the option of attending one of two site visits: 

• Southern Landfill: Join Wellington City Council staff on a tour of the Southern Landfill site, where experts will talk you through the operations and the development of the full landfill site. This visit will return to TSB Arena via the airport for those who need to catch flights. 

• Earth Starch Organic Solutions & Silverstream Landfill: Discover EarthSOS’s decentralised, scalable organic processing solution (Rosie) designed for communities, councils, and businesses. Then visit the EDL pilot asbestos destruction plant located at the Silverstream Landfill.
  

Learn more about both of these site visits here. 

These are both held at the same time, after sessions finish on Thursday, 21 May, leaving from the conference venue at 1pm. You will receive a packed lunch to take with you.