Our conference sustainability commitment

Sustainability partner:

The Swiss Re Group is one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, insurance and other forms of insurance-based risk transfer. Through our work with clients, we fulfil our vision of helping to make the world more resilient. Our Reinsurance Business Unit covers both Property & Casualty and Life & Health. What sets us apart is our financial strength, unrivalled knowledge and expertise, quality underwriting and, most importantly, our partnership approach with clients. We collaborate with our clients to understand their needs, and subsequently develop solutions that capitalise on the quality of our expertise.

Sustainability at NZSA Conference 2026

Christchurch is a city shaped by change, resilience and renewal, making it a fitting place to consider not only how we respond to change, but how we can help shape a more sustainable future.

Christchurch also provides a setting that supports some of the practical choices we are making around sustainability. Its connectivity and compact, walkable central city mean our conference venues and recommended accommodation are within easy reach of one another, giving attendees the option to walk between many of their conference activities and reducing reliance on transport during their stay.

In keeping with the ChCh…Changes theme, sustainability is woven into the NZSA Conference 2026 in both practical and thought-provoking ways. From reducing the environmental impact of bringing our conference community together to exploring climate risk, resilience and sustainable insurance within the programme, we’re considering the choices we can make today to create positive change for the future.

With the support of Swiss Re, our Sustainability partner, we’re continuing to rethink how the conference is delivered, looking for practical ways to reduce waste, make more considered choices and encourage attendees, partners and suppliers to play their part.

Our initiatives

Smarter conference travel
We recognise that delegate travel is one of the most significant contributors to the environmental footprint of an in-person conference. With the generous support of Swiss Re, our Sustainability partner, pre-arranged airport transfers will help transport attendees and speakers between Christchurch Airport and the conference venue, reducing the need for individual taxi journeys.
Reducing single-use items
We are working to minimise disposable items across the conference. Munich Re is supporting this initiative by providing each delegate with a reusable drinking glass to use throughout the conference and take home. Crockery and glassware will also be used in place of single-use cups wherever possible.
A more sustainable coffee break
As Coffee cart partner, EY is supporting our efforts to reduce waste by encouraging the use of crockery throughout the event and providing delegates with reusable coffee cups to use during the conference and beyond.
Keeping things digital
The conference programme and key delegate information will be available through the conference app and website, helping us significantly reduce printed materials and unnecessary paper waste.
Thoughtful catering and local hospitality
Where possible, we are prioritising locally sourced food, beverages and suppliers, giving delegates the opportunity to experience some of the best of Ōtautahi Christchurch while supporting local businesses. In collaboration with our caterers, we will also produce a food map highlighting selected conference menu items and where their ingredients have been sourced, helping tell the story behind the food being served.
Sustainability beyond the conference venue
Our social programme includes opportunities to explore Christchurch on foot and by bike, connect with the city's environment, and learn more about the cultural history and regeneration of Ōtautahi.

Sustainability in the programme

Sustainability is also part of the conversation.

The 2026 programme explores some of the environmental and societal challenges facing actuaries and insurers, including sustainable insurance, climate change, flood resilience, electric vehicles and the long-term resilience of New Zealand's insurance market.

A few related sessions include:

Rebuilding and Reimagining: Sustainable Insurance in a Changing NZ
Assessing and Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change on Life Insurance
Proposed solution for flood-prone properties
The growing EV market and how insurers can respond
The Price of Risk: Affordability, Resilience and the Future of Insurance, which considers climate risk, community resilience, affordability and sustainable growth.

Sustainability partner: Swiss Re

We’re proud to have Swiss Re as Sustainability partner for the NZSA Conference 2026, sharing our commitment to making thoughtful, practical choices that reduce the impact of bringing our actuarial community together.

Their partnership is helping us turn that commitment into action. This includes supporting coordinated airport transfers to reduce the number of individual journeys, while also helping us keep sustainability front of mind as we consider travel, waste, catering, materials and the wider conference experience.

Together, our aim is to identify where meaningful and achievable changes can be made and put them into practice throughout the conference.

How attendees can play their part

Small choices across the conference can collectively make a difference. We encourage attendees to:

Walk when you can – our recommended conference hotels and venues are within easy walking distance, making it possible to enjoy much of central Christchurch without additional transport.
Make use of the pre-organised shared transport – if you’re using our airport transfer service, travelling together helps reduce the number of individual journeys between the airport and conference.
Use the reusable items provided – make use of your conference drinking glass and reusable coffee cup, along with crockery and glassware available at the venue, to help reduce single-use waste.
Keep it digital – access the programme and conference information through the app and website, and consider taking notes digitally rather than printing materials.
Help us reduce food waste – take what you need during catering breaks and come back for more if you’re still hungry.
Recycle thoughtfully – follow the recycling and waste-sorting guidance provided at the conference venue and your accommodation.
Return your badge and lanyard – hand these back to the Conference Innovators team at the end of the conference so they can be reused or appropriately recycled.

How Christchurch Town Hall is playing its part

The Christchurch Town Hall incorporates a number of sustainability measures into its day-to-day operations, complementing the initiatives we are putting in place specifically for NZSA Conference 2026.

Waste and recycling: Dedicated waste streams and recycling processes are in place, with the venue working towards diverting more than 80% of its waste from landfill. Milk bottles are also collected for recycling into Future Posts for use in sustainable farming.
Reducing food waste: The venue partners with Kairos Food Rescue, helping redirect suitable surplus food from waste to community organisations across Christchurch.
Local sourcing: More than 80% of the venue’s produce is sourced from local growers and producers, supporting our own focus on showcasing local food and suppliers.
Reducing single-use waste: Crockery, cutlery and glassware are used for conference catering, with water refill stations also available for reusable drinking vessels.
Energy efficiency: Sensor lighting is installed throughout the venue, alongside managed heating schedules designed to reduce unnecessary energy use.
Getting around: The venue’s central location puts our recommended conference accommodation and much of the central city within walking distance, with bike racks also available for attendees.

Caring for Ōtautahi and Aotearoa

As we come together in Ōtautahi, we also encourage attendees to embrace the Tiaki Promise. Tiaki means to care for people, place and culture, and the promise is a commitment to care for Aotearoa New Zealand, now and for future generations. It encourages us to protect nature, keep New Zealand clean, be prepared, travel safely and show respect.

By making thoughtful choices during the conference and as we explore Christchurch, we can all play a part in caring for the place hosting us.