Programme

The IPCNC Conference 2026 offers a rich and diverse programme designed to inform, inspire, and connect infection prevention and control professionals across Aotearoa. Over three days, delegates will experience:

• Keynote presentations from national and international infection prevention leaders
• Panel discussions tackling current challenges and future directions
• Research and innovation showcases highlighting local and global advancements
• Networking opportunities to build relationships and share experiences

Draft Programme

Wednesday 26 August 2026

7:00am	Registration Desk Open
8:30am - 8:50am	Mihi Whakatau   NZNO Kaumatua: Keelan Ransfield
8:50am - 9:10am	Conference Welcome: MC Francie Morgan & IPCNC Chair Lisa Gilbert
9:10am - 9:55am	Keynote: Jincy Jerry: Solving IPC challenges with chlorine dioxide: A chemistry-based approach.
9:55am - 10:00am	MC: Trades treasure hunt.
10:00am - 10:30am	Morning Tea
10:30am - 11:15am	Keynote: Belinda Henderson: Innovation in IPC leadership
11:15am - 11:45am	TBC
11:45am - 12:20pm	TBC
12:20pm - 12:33pm	Q&A for all speakers.
12:33pm – 1:35pm	Lunch
1:35pm - 1:55pm	Room 1 & 2: NZ innovation TBC
2:00pm - 2:20pm	Room 1 & 2: NZ innovation TBC
2:30pm - 2:50pm	Room 1 & 2: NZ innovation TBC
2:50pm - 3:20pm	Afternoon Tea
3:30pm - 4:35pm	Health NZ IPC Network national update: Michelle Balm, Molly Kallesen, Carolyn Clissold
4:45pm - 4:55pm	MC: Housekeeping and wrap up.
5:00pm	Welcome Function

Thursday 27 August 2026

7:00am	Registration Desk Open
7:30am - 8:45am	Breakfast and IPCNC AGM sponsored by IPCNC
8:50am - 9:00am	Welcome Day Two
9:00am - 9:40am	Keynote speaker: Jincy Jerry Battling Biofilms Webber webinar live broadcast Sponsored by Schülke (MC: Jane Barnett)
9:40am - 9:55am	Paul Andreassend: Moviemaking in Covid lockdown
9:55am - 10:05am	Quick fire poster presenters
10:05am – 10:35am	Morning Tea  Sponsored by Endurocide
10:35am - 10:55am	Keynote speaker: Belinda Henderson Candida auris
10:55am - 11:30am	TBC
11:30am - 12:00pm	Carbapenemase-producing organisms evolving epidemiology
12:00pm - 12:10pm	Q&A time
12:10pm - 12:15pm	Global Medics address
12:15pm - 12:30pm	IPCNC chair: What is IPCNC?
12:30pm - 1:30pm	Lunch
1:30pm - 1:33pm	VentureMed address
1:35pm - 1:55pm	Valentino Hernandez: Sustainability and IPC - global and local trends
2:00pm - 2:20pm	Room 1: In your hands we trust: European wiping standards and colour training technology. Panel discussion. Room 2: NZ Innovation TBC
2:25pm - 2:45pm	Room 1: In your hands we trust: European wiping standards and colour training technology. Panel discussion. Room 2: NZ Innovation TBC
2:45pm - 3:10pm	Afternoon Tea
3:10pm - 3:15pm	Schuelke address
3:20pm - 3:40pm	IPC and the built environment: Ann Whitfield, SiewLing Ong
3:40pm - 4:00pm	Clostridioides difficile:  James Chancellor
4:00pm - 4:20pm	Local adoption of cleaning equipment auditing: Delwyn Campbell
4:20pm - 4:25pm	Wrap up and close
5:30pm - 6:30pm	Pre-dinner drinks
6:30pm - 11:45pm	Conference Dinner and Dance  Theme: Wellywood Glamour

Friday 28 August 2026

8:30am	Registration Desk Open
8:50am - 9:00am	Welcome Day 3
9:00am - 9:20am	Keynote: Belinda Henderson: Healthcare associated bacteraemia
9:20am - 9:40am	Keynote: Jincy Jerry: Tracking ultrasound probes: Aligning with EN standards and decontamination protocols
9:40am - 10:10am	Noor-un-Nissa (Noor) Syed: Artificial Intelligence and IPC
10:10am - 10:15am	Q&A
10:10am - 10:40am	Morning Tea
10:40am - 11:10am	Max Bloomfield: Genome sequencing and innovation within IPC
11:10am - 11:35am	Valentino Hernandez: IPC and sustainability
11:40am - 12:00pm	TBC
12:00pm - 12:25pm	Q&A
12:30pm - 1:30pm	Lunch
1:30pm - 2:10pm	Debate: Save the sinks or sink the sinks.
2:10pm - 2:25pm	Conference awards presentations sponsored VentureMed and Whiteley Trades treasure hunt prize presentation
2:25pm - 2:40pm	TBC
2:40pm - 2:50pm	MC: Thank 2028 host, wrap up
2:40pm - 2:50pm	MC: Housekeeping and wrap up.
2:50pm	Conference close

Note: programme timings subject to change

Call for papers
Contribute to the Future of Infection Prevention and Control.
The Infection Prevention and Control Nurses College (IPCNC) invites submissions for oral and poster presentations submissions for the 2026 Conference.

Our theme is “Lights, Camera, Prevention!”

This references Wellington’s innovative movie making industry, and showcases infection control from around the motu, as well as globally.
 
Your infection prevention and control paper/poster can be based on innovation in  Leadership; IPC programme and implementation; AMS; surveillance of healthcare associated infections; and in managing the environment  

​This is your opportunity to share your knowledge, research, and innovations with colleagues from across Aotearoa and beyond. We welcome contributions that reflect the evolving challenges and opportunities in infection prevention and control across all healthcare and community settings.

Key Dates
Abstract Submissions Open: October 2025
Submission Deadline: April 2026
Notification of Acceptance: May 2026
Programme Published: June 2026
Presenter Registration Deadline: June 2026

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