Symposium

We’re delighted to advise that registrations are now open for the next CTANZ symposium, which will take place in Ōamaru, Friday 5 May – Sunday 7 May 2023, with a theme of Tradition.

The registration page has all the information you need to sign up to attend: https://events.humanitix.com/ctanz-symposium-2023  

This is going to be a particularly special year, as we celebrate 21 years of the organisation’s existence. Our annual symposium is at the heart of what we do; for around 20 years, members and friends have gathered in locations throughout Aotearoa New Zealand to share their ideas and passion. It’s a welcoming, informal weekend of wide-ranging presentations and conversations.

The provisional programme is now available for download from the link below. As previously announced, the keynote speaker will be Dr Patricia Te Arapo Wallace (Ngāti Porou), a longstanding member of CTANZ, who specialises in Māori traditional textiles. Patricia will be speaking in the afternoon; registration starts at 10am on Friday, with the welcome at 10.45am. The symposium is scheduled to finish by 3pm on Sunday.

CTANZ Symposium 2023 Provisional Programme (March)

The symposium is switching between double and single strand presentations: sometimes there will be a choice of topics, for a couple of others, there will only be one, notably a presentation on CTANZ history by our co-presidents, Dr Natalie Smith and Dr Stella Lange, and another by Dr Catherine Smith on Te Ra, one of the oldest surviving Polynesian sails. Other papers will explore local dress histories, cherished institutional textile objects, medical attire, and rites of passage – weddings and the debutante ball. Alongside the symposium, there will also be an exhibition of textile works by CTANZ members.

This will be the first time the symposium has been held in Ōamaru, with the the event take place in the renowned heritage-listed Ōamaru Opera House (https://oamaruoperahouse.co.nz). The opera house is conveniently located in the heart of Ōamaru’s Victorian precincts, and the symposium dinner at the nearby Loan & Merc will give another angle on Ōamaru’s history as well as great food and company.

We look forward to seeing you there. Some practicalities:

Getting to Ōamaru

Ōamaru is just under 2 hours drive from Dunedin Airport. Intercity runs a bus service from Dunedin Airport to Ōamaru.   https://www.intercity.co.nz/

Ōamaru is just over 1 hours drive from Timaru Airport.

Ōamaru is around 3 hours drive from Christchurch Airport. Intercity runs a bus service from Christchurch Airport to Ōamaru.
https://www.intercity.co.nz/

Getting around Ōamaru

Ōamaru has no public bus service. There is a taxi service (but no Uber!) The symposium venue is located centrally in Ōamaru near to several accommodation providers. If transport around Ōamaru may be an issue for you, please note this when registering so we can assist.

Staying in Ōamaru

Ōamaru has accommodation to meet a variety of budgets and needs. Please visit https://waitakinz.com/stay/ to see some of the local accommodation on offer. You may also contact Nancy at the Bella Vista 03 434 2400 who can assist with specific accommodation enquiries for the symposium such as options to room share and discounts available for symposium attendees.  

Visting Ōamaru and the Waitaki District

If you are looking for other things to do while you are in the Waitaki District please visit https://waitakinz.com/ to see where you can dine, visit and shop.

If you have any questions please contact the symposium committee via email to ctanzoamaru@gmail.com