Midwives To Gather In Hamilton For National Conference Exploring Wellbeing, Innovation, And The Role Of AI

Midwives, students, educators and health leaders will converge on Claudelands, Hamilton from 28–29 August 2025 for the New Zealand College of Midwives Biennial Conference. This year’s theme, Manaakitanga – Safeguarding Collective Wellbeing, sets the stage for two days of discussion, reflection and inspiration, looking at how midwifery continues to adapt to the needs of women, babies, and whānau in Aotearoa.

The programme brings together a diverse line-up of keynote speakers. Internationally renowned researcher Professor Saraswathi Vedam will open with a powerful exploration of midwives as stewards of human rights, while Dr Ihirangi Heke will draw on his expertise in both Māori environmental knowledge and cutting-edge technology to consider how tradition and innovation can work together. The conference also features the Joan Donley Memorial Address from Bronwen Pelvin, reflections on the wellbeing of the profession from Professor Caroline Homer, and the inaugural Māori Midwifery Oration delivered by Korina Vaughn. Together, these voices will offer delegates both a deep respect for midwifery’s history and bold ideas for its future.

Associate Minister of Health Hon Casey Costello who holds the maternity portfolio will deliver an address to conference delegates in the opening ceremony which will be attended by senior leadership from Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora and the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora, underscoring the importance of midwifery within the wider health system and the collective commitment to safeguarding maternity care in Aotearoa.

Adding a lively counterpoint to the serious sessions, the conference will also host the much-anticipated Great Debate. This year’s motion pits humans against robots, asking whether artificial intelligence should play a bigger role in healthcare. With midwives and technology experts lining up on either side, delegates can expect sharp arguments, witty rebuttals, and more than a few laughs as speakers tackle questions about whether AI is a friend, foe, or just a flashy distraction in maternity care.

The mix of serious insight and playful debate captures the spirit of the conference: midwifery is a profession grounded in care and tradition, but unafraid to ask hard questions about the future. From manaakitanga to machine learning, the conversations in Hamilton will challenge, inspire, and perhaps even entertain.

For more information visit www.midwife-conference.org.nz

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