Conference 2026

Programme

NZSO 2026

Programme outline

Below is a programme outline for the 2026 Conference. Our three days consist of a SIG day on Thursday and two days of plenary sessions. The programme will be updated as sessions are finalised. 

Thursday 15 October

Conference day one - SIG day

8.00am
Registration open
9.00am – 9.45am
Powhiri and Conference opening
9.45am – 10.15am
Morning tea
11.45am - 1.15pm
Lunch
12.00pm – 1.00pm
AstraZeneca Lunch Symposium
1.15pm – 2.45pm
SIG session two
Colorectal Cancer SIG
Digital Pathology SIG
Gynaecological Cancer League SIG
Melanoma Research and Therapy SIG
2.45pm – 3.00pm
Afternoon tea
3.00pm – 4.30pm
SIG session three
Breast Cancer Collaborative Research SIG
ctDNA and Plasma Genomics
Global Burden of Disease Oceania Cancer Risk Factor SIG
Lung Oncology SIG
4.35pm – 5.30pm
Advocate voices in research priority - Panel session
5.30pm – 7.30pm
Early career networking function
Evening networking event
Friday 16 October

Conference day two

7.30am – 5.30pm
Registration desk open
8.30am - 10.30am
He Akoranga Whakahoungia
Mārire Goodall Keynote
Prof Misty Jenkins, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Hāpai te Hauora
Cheryl Davies, Kokiri Hauora and Jeannine Stairmand, University of Otago
10.30am – 11.15am
Morning tea
11.15am – 1.20pm
Session two - Advocacy in Innovation
Keynote speaker
Prof Tony Mok, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Clinical Trial Update Across Aotearoa

Abstract presentations
1.20pm – 2.50pm
Lunch
1.35pm – 2.35pm
Roche Lunch Symposium
2.50pm – 5.00pm
Session three
Bruce Cain Memorial Lecture
Prof Robert Weinkove, Malagan Institute

Abstracts presentations & Bridget Robinson award lecture
5.00pm – 6.30pm
Poster session
Networking and poster presentations
Saturday 17 October

Conference day three

7.00am – 3.30pm
Registration desk open
7.30am – 8.45am
MSD Breakfast symposium
8.55am - 10.30am
Session four - Advocacy in Implementation
Keynote speaker
Prof Chris Booth, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada

Abstract presentations
10.30am
Morning tea
11.15am
Session five - Allied Health
Keynote speaker
Dr Jo Bird, President, UK Oncology Nursing Society

NZSO Cancer Research Trust NZ Nurses and Allied Health Award Winner
Abstract presentations
1.00pm – 2.30pm
Lunch
1.15pm – 2.15pm
GSK Lunch Symposium
2.30pm - 4.00pm
Session six - Common Sense Oncology
Common Sense Oncology Panel

Roche Fellowship presentation
4.00pm - 4.15pm
Conference closing
4.15pm
NZSO AGM
6.30pm – Midnight
Conference dinner
Evening celebration and networking event