JOIN US FOR

The Combined Community Trusts Conference
03 – 05 November 2026

TE TAI TOKERAU NORTHLAND

Te Rau Mahi Tahi

Partnering for Impact - 2040 and Beyond

There is no better place to explore partnering for impact than at Waitangi. 2040 will mark 200 years since the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi - a partnership formed with a vision of shared prosperity.

2040 will also mark 50+ years of Community Trust existence, this year the Combined Community Trust Conference aims to inspire, provoke and challenge us to consider what partnering for impact means in an ever-changing regional, national and global environment.

A more detailed programme will be issued in the coming weeks, along with registration details, however, here is some helpful information to support your early planning.

Programme Overview

TUESDAY 03 NOVEMBER

10.00AM - 3.30PM
COPTHORNE BAY OF ISLANDS
CEO and Chairperson Hui & Funding Advisor Networking (FAN) Hui
4.30PM - 8.30PM
WAITANGI TREATY GROUNDS
Conference begins – Pōwhiri
Whakatakoto te kaupapa – setting the conference theme
Followed by shared kai and the opportunity to whakawhanaungatanga
WEDNESDAY 04 NOVEMBER

8.30AM - 5.00PM
COPTHORNE BAY OF ISLANDS
Full day conference programme
6.00PM - LATE
WAITANGI TREATY GROUNDS
Conference dinner
THURSDAY 05 NOVEMBER

9.00AM - 3.00PM
COPTHORNE BAY OF ISLANDS
Full day conference programme

Say kia ora to our conference MC

Julian Wilcox
Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa

Julian Wilcox (Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa)is an award winning broadcaster, a former television executive and local industry veteran. One of Māori Television ’s founding members, Wilcox’s prolific presence has played a vital role in the amplification of Māoricentric media for some 30 years now. With no end in sight. A true media stalwart, Julian fronted TVNZ’s Te Karere and Māori Televison’s award-winning Native Affairs —plus a number of media production, academic and management roles, including Chief Officer of Operations for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu —and is a beloved co-host on The Hui. The Hui, a programme sharing Māori perspectives on current affairs, sees Wilcox call upon his rich, dynamic career to tell stories of Māori development and whānau rangatiratanga, honour whaikōrero, uphold industry standards and engage (heartily)with viewers. Relaxed and professional in virtually any setting, Julian Wilcox speaks with an informed optimism —both in English and te reo Māori. A seasoned MC and speaker, esteemed host and key player in Māori media, humble Julian Wilcox is unmatched in experience, likeability and flair.

Julian Wilcox appears by arrangement with Johnson & Laird Management.

Haere Mai

The Combined Community Trusts biennial conference will be hosted in 2026 by Foundation North

HOST

WITH SUPPORT FROM OUR NAMING SPONSOR

Getting to the Bay of Islands

We recommend flying into Kerikeri (Bay of Islands Airport – KKE), the closest and most convenient airport for the conference location.

Kerikeri is well-serviced by Air New Zealand (and some Barrier Air services) via Auckland, with regular daily flights. The airport is just a 20–25 minute drive to Paihia and Waitangi, making transfers quick and easy.

Delegates travelling from major centres such as Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown or Dunedin can book a single journey through Auckland with a connecting flight to Kerikeri.

Alternative options include:

Flying into Whangārei (approx. 1 hour’s drive to Bay of Islands), or
Flying into Auckland and driving north (allow approx. 3–3.5 hours).

If you are planning to hire a rental car or share transfers with colleagues, this can also be a great opportunity to enjoy the scenic Northland landscape along the way.