Connect locally with a Network of Passionate Individuals.
18 - 21 May 2026
The Final Programme is available
Mā te mahi tahi – Driving impact through collaboration
Australasian Land & Groundwater Association (ALGA) and WasteMINZ 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.
Highlights include:
Workshops: The programme will open with two specialist workshops – the Territorial Authorities’ Officers Forum and a contaminated land and groundwater management workshop.
Programme: Thought-provoking keynotes, lively panel discussions, and five parallel break-out sessions.
Awards for Excellence: Celebrate achievements across the waste hierarchy, from reduction and reuse through to disposal innovation, research, advocacy, and the Young Professional Awards.
Exhibition: Meet and connect with leading suppliers and service providers in the expo hall.
Site tours: The conference will conclude with popular site visits to local facilities.
Don’t miss this chance to be a key player in shaping the future of waste management, resource recovery, contaminated land, and groundwater in Australasia!
In keeping with the theme – Mā te mahi tahi – we’re proud to release the final programme for the WasteMINZ + ALGA Conference 2026. This programme brings you bold ideas, innovative case studies, interactive workshops and insightful panel discussions.
Wondering what to expect at the conference? Watch our short video!
Platinum Sponsor
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Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
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CLM Workshop Sponsors
TAO Forum
Lanyard Sponsor
Gala Dinner Sponsor
Opening Keynote Sponsor
Conference App Sponsor
Lounge Sponsor
Coffee Cart Sponsor
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Women in the Industry Breakfast Sponsor
Networking Event Sponsor
Session Sponsor
Wine, Speaker Gifts and Beer, Networking Sponsor
Exhibitors
Learn more about the Exhibitors and look at the Expo Floor Plan – CLICK HERE
Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact Michael Seller at michaels@landandgroundwater.com.
REGISTRATION FEES – CLICK HERE
Super Saver Rate: Register and Pay before 2 April 2026 – CLOSE
Early Bird Rate: Register and Pay before 30 April 2026 – LAST DAYS
Last Minute Rate: Registration from 1 May 2026
Helmut is an experienced director, executive, and consultant with extensive experience across the private and public sector and with specialist skills in business and economic development, strategic planning, change management, and finance. Helmut’s work over the last 20 years has focused on chief executive leadership of private sector company mergers, turnarounds, and business improvements. Since 2020 Helmut has been CEO of Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, with executive and governance responsibilities across a broad range of social and commercial enterprises.
Dr Mai Chen (LLB (Hons) (Otago), (LLM (Harvard), HonLLD (Otago), CMInstD), is a top barrister in NZ and President of NZ Asian Lawyers. She was previously:
Bernard Hickey is a financial and political commentator who produces two daily podcasts and newsletters about Aotearoa's political economy and global finance. He has covered politics and economics for 35 years from Auckland, Wellington, Canberra, Sydney, London, Singapore and New York, as well as co-founded online news publishing businesses, including Newsroom, Interest.co.nz and The Kaka.
Dr Nick Kim is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Environmental Chemistry at Massey University’s School of Health Sciences in Wellington, New Zealand, where he oversees environmental health programmes, teaches topics in toxicology, environmental monitoring and risk assessment, and supervises postgraduate research. Holding a first-class BSc(Hons) and PhD in Environmental Chemistry from the University of Canterbury, he has over three decades of experience bridging applied environmental chemistry, human health risk assessment and natural resource management. His career includes 11 years lecturing at the University of Waikato, a decade as Science Advisor at Waikato Regional Council (where he led contaminated site investigations, regional air/soil/water monitoring and made contributions to national standards such as the NES for Contaminants in Soil), and 13 years at Massey, together with a six-month secondment as Senior Policy Advisor at the Ministry for Primary Industries. Dr Kim has provided technical support for a wide range of government initiatives, acted as an independent hearings commissioner under the RMA, and contributed to reviews of methamphetamine testing practices, ecological soil guideline values, and chemical regulation in Aotearoa. In his keynote he will draw on this practical and policy experience to examine the transition in New Zealand’s environmental limits under the reformed resource management framework, highlighting the inevitable interplay of science, policy choices, community values and practical compromises.
Geoff is the Chief Executive of Te Waihanga, the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission. Prior to this, he’s worked at the United States Federal Reserve and is a former Chief Economist at both PwC and Auckland Council. He holds a Master of Economics with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland and a Master of Public Affairs from Princeton University.
We are proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 WasteMINZ + ALGA Awards for Excellence. This year’s nominations showcase the incredible breadth of innovation, leadership and collaboration happening across the waste minimisation, resource recovery, contaminated land and groundwater management sectors in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.
From cutting-edge research and large-scale infrastructure projects to community-led initiatives and inspiring emerging professionals, the judges were impressed by both the quality and impact of this year’s nominations. Our finalists demonstrate what is possible when expertise, evidence and commitment come together to deliver meaningful environmental, social and economic outcomes.
Join us in congratulating our finalists and celebrating their achievements. Award winners will be announced at the WasteMINZ + ALGA Awards for Excellence ceremony at the conference 18 -21 May 2026.
Sandra Hamler is a highly valued contaminated land consultant who delivers consistently high-quality fieldwork, reporting, and stakeholder coordination. Working across PSI, DSI, and acid sulfate soil investigations, Sandra demonstrates exceptional care, organisation, and technical rigour.
Sandra is nominated for her ability to support complex site investigations through meticulous planning, clear communication, and reliable data collection. Her work has reduced delays, avoided resampling, and supported cost-effective decision-making for clients operating in sensitive environments.
Beyond project delivery, Sandra actively shares knowledge through industry presentations, internal training, and mentoring. Her commitment to safety, sustainability, and practical learning is helping raise standards across contaminated land and groundwater management practice.
Charlotte Rayner is an Environmental Scientist who has quickly become a trusted advisor in contaminated land management. With strong technical capability and excellent client engagement skills, Charlotte consistently delivers work that improves environmental outcomes while avoiding unnecessary cost and waste.
Charlotte is nominated for her leadership in closed landfill compliance monitoring, where she identified that many discharge consents were no longer fit for purpose. By reviewing and updating consent conditions, she transformed monitoring from a tick-box exercise into a meaningful risk assessment tool, improving data quality and decision-making for councils.
Her impact extends to industry capability through conference presentations, mentoring junior staff, and enabling new approaches such as laboratory-based rapid screening for acid sulfate soils.
Charlotte’s work demonstrates how thoughtful, evidence-led practice can lift standards across contaminated land management.
Oliver Tate is an emerging contaminated land professional known for his strong field leadership, analytical thinking, and commitment to sustainable outcomes. His experience spans complex infrastructure, defence, and mining-related projects, where he consistently supports responsible materials management.
Oliver is nominated for his contributions to major site investigations and soil disposal assessments, ensuring contaminated material is correctly classified and landfill capacity protected. His work on mine tailings reprocessing and water balance modelling demonstrates how environmental risk can be reduced while enabling resource recovery.
Through active involvement in ALGA’s Emerging Professionals SIG, mentoring students and graduates, and sharing technical insights via webinars and industry events, Oliver is helping build the next generation of contaminated land practitioners and strengthen sector-wide knowledge.
Michelle Begbie is widely respected across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia for her leadership in contaminated land regulation and policy. As a senior regulatory practitioner, Michelle has played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between regulators, practitioners, and researchers, helping the sector navigate complex technical and policy challenges with clarity and balance.
Michelle is nominated for her long-standing commitment to advancing good risk management practice. She has led cross-Tasman conversations on mandatory reporting, supported regulator-only forums for ALGA, and represented Aotearoa internationally through the Common Forum initiative connecting environmental regulators across Europe and Australia. Her willingness to share regulatory insight has strengthened trust and understanding between regulators and industry.
Through webinars, conference sessions, and working groups with WasteMINZ, ALGA, and the CEnvP Scheme, Michelle has influenced policy discussions and supported better decision-making across the sector. Her impact lies not only in technical expertise but in her ability to connect people, translate science into practice, and leave a lasting legacy of shared knowledge and collaboration.
Mark Roberts is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s most influential leaders in construction and demolition (C&D) waste minimisation. Through his role at Auckland Council, Mark has been a relentless advocate for practical, evidence-led change in how the sector approaches waste, reuse, and recovery.
Mark is nominated as a Legend in recognition of more than a decade of leadership that has shaped national thinking on C&D waste. He has initiated landmark research projects, chaired the WasteMINZ C&D Working group, and driven campaigns such as Construction Waste Week to raise awareness and inspire action. His work during storm recovery has embedded house relocation and deconstruction as preferred outcomes, delivering significant reuse and material recovery.
Mark’s impact reaches across government, industry, and the community. By connecting people, championing collaboration, and turning data into action, he has helped move C&D waste from a niche concern to a central part of New Zealand’s waste minimisation conversation.
Sam Willis is recognised as a leader in vapour and gas risk assessment, known for challenging conventional approaches and promoting smarter, more sustainable decision-making. As Environmental Team Lead in Alliance’s Sydney branch, Sam combines deep technical expertise with a strong commitment to mentoring and industry service.
Sam is nominated for his tireless contribution to industry upskilling through ALGA. As Co-Chair of the Vapour and Gas Specialist Interest Group, he helped deliver major symposia, webinars, and training events that have lifted practitioner capability and encouraged the use of multiple lines of evidence in risk assessment. His presentations consistently advocate for proportionate responses that avoid unnecessary remediation and environmental harm.
Beyond formal roles, Sam is a passionate mentor who encourages emerging professionals to step into industry forums, events, and leadership opportunities. His impact is seen in stronger technical practice, better collaboration between government and consultants, and a more confident, sustainability-focused contaminated land sector.
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!
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.
Monday, 18 May: 1pm – 5pm, followed by networking drinks
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.
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.
Thursday, 21 May: 1pm-5pm.
You have the option of attending one of two site visits:
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.
The theme for the WasteMINZ + ALGA Conference 2026 Gala Dinner is: Stronger together.
This can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Wear complementary colours. Get together with others and wear different outfits in varying shades of the same colour, matching or interlocking jewellery, or shared motifs. Co-ordinate bow ties or pocket squares, or wear colour-blocked patterns or complementary patterns that tie in with someone else’s outfit. Think outside the box. The sky is the limit!
Location
4 Queens Wharf, Wellington
Download the Floor Map Here
The TSB Arena is Wellington’s biggest indoor venue. It’s a go-to venue choice for conferences, public exhibitions, international concerts and indoor sporting events.
Accomodation
We have partnered with different accommodation options close to the TSB Arena. Each option provides a preferred rate for our delegates. Please make sure to follow the relevant link and/or description on this dedicated page below.
Flights
As some delegates will be travelling by air to attend the conference, we strongly recommend booking your flights as early as possible to secure the best options and rates. Qantas is currently offering special rates for our delegates
