Conference Program
Join us for ASBESTOS 2027: Road to Removal as we explore where our industry is headed, from identification through to safe removal, disposal and beyond. Across three days in Christchurch, delegates will hear fresh perspectives from across the asbestos lifecycle and take part in practical sessions designed to turn insight into real-world action.
This program is an initial guide and is subject to change. Further session and speaker details will be announced separately.
Welcome Event
Sunday 21 March 2027
Christchurch, New Zealand
Welcome Drinks
5:30pm–7:30pm
Join us as we welcome delegates to Christchurch and officially begin ASBESTOS 2027.
Education Day
Monday 22 March 2027
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre
Education Day Program
Program details will be announced soon.
Conference Day 1
Tuesday 23 March 2027
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre
| Time | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30–9:00am | Conference opens for networking Tea and coffee |
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| 9:00–9:10am | Official Opening and Cultural Welcome | ||
| 9:10–9:25am | Partners in Progress Working together on the Road to Removal Sharon Thompson, Chief Executive, WorkSafe New Zealand |
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| 9:25–10:00am | Mobilising for Impact Lessons in building momentum and creating change Sam Johnson, Founder and Chair, Student Volunteer Army |
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| 10:00–10:45am | Under the Surface: What the Research Is Telling Us About Sand Research presentation followed by a panel conversation Research presentation: Terri Ann-Berry Panellists: Terri Ann-Berry; Marta Roberts, Principal Specialist – Asbestos, WorkSafe New Zealand; Craig Mansell, Chief Advisor – Asbestos Management, Technical Advisory, New Zealand School Property Services; and an additional panellist to be announced |
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| 10:45–11:15am | Morning Tea | ||
| 11:15–11:45am | Raising the Standard Best practice across the asbestos lifecycle Matthew Taylor, WSP |
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| 11:45am–12:00pm | The Human Impact of Asbestos A lived-experience perspective |
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| 12:00–1:00pm | Lunch | ||
| 1:00–1:30pm | Managing Asbestos Removal at Scale Insights from complex programs and projects Craig Mansell, Chief Advisor – Asbestos Management, Technical Advisory, New Zealand School Property Services |
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| Concurrent | Stream A | Stream B | Stream C |
| 1:35–2:00pm | Insights That Drive Action | Innovation in Practice | Removal & Remediation |
| 2:00–2:30pm | Progress Through Partnership | Risks on the Road to Removal | Risks on the Road to Removal |
| 2:30–3:00pm | Afternoon Tea | ||
| 3:00–3:30pm | Removal in Practice Real-world challenges, methods and lessons |
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| 3:30–4:00pm | Remediation Across the Lifecycle Managing complex environments and long-term outcomes |
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| 4:00pm | Conference Day 1 Close | ||
| From 6:00pm | Conference Dinner and Awards Evening Further details coming soon |
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Conference Day 2
Wednesday 24 March 2027
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre
| Time | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00–8:30am | Conference opens for networking Tea and coffee |
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| 8:30–8:35am | Welcome | ||
| 8:35–9:15am | International Keynote Address Details to be announced |
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| 9:15–10:00am | Global Perspectives From regulation to removal around the world |
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| 10:00–10:30am | Morning Tea | ||
| 10:30–11:00am | Regulator Update Marta Roberts, Principal Specialist – Asbestos, WorkSafe New Zealand |
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| 11:00–11:30am | Setting the Standard Industry developments, quality and competency Rob McAllister, HASANZ |
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| Concurrent | Stream A | Stream B | Stream C |
| 11:35am–12:05pm | Insights That Drive Action | Innovation in Practice | Removal & Remediation |
| 12:05–12:35pm | Progress Through Partnership | Risks on the Road to Removal | Risks on the Road to Removal |
| 12:35–1:35pm | Lunch | ||
| 1:35–2:30pm | The Systems Behind the Site What strong safety practice looks like in asbestos work Samuel Jackson and Kevin White, Thuroona |
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| 2:30–3:00pm | Conference Reflections and Closing Competency, strategy and the road ahead |
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| 3:00–4:00pm | Afternoon Tea and Networking | ||