ASFA Conference 2025 – Draft Programme

Theme: Innovation & Creativity in Solution Focused Practice
Ōtepoti / Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
Hosted in collaboration with the University of Otago – Social Work Department
Friday 14 – Sunday 16 November 2025
(Programme subject to change – final details TBC)

Friday 14 November – University of Otago

8:30 AM – Registration
9:00 AM – Mihi whakatau
9:20 AM – Opening Welcome – Andrea Lemm
9:35 AM – Opening Address – Brent Gardiner He Huarahi Oranga – A Road to Wellness: Using Solution Focused in a pluralistic and bi-cultural meta-framework
10:30 AM – Kapu tī (morning tea)
10:50 AM – Plenary – Emma Burns & John Henden ‘What Works’ in Solution Focused Suicide Prevention
12:30 PM – Kai hākari (lunch)

1:00 PM – Workshop Session 3 (3 concurrent options – full details coming soon)

• Matt Cameron – Solution Focus and AI
• Andrea Lemm – Einklang / Mauri Tau: A bicultural supervision approach with SF at the centre
• [TBC]

1:45 PM – Workshop Session 4 (3 concurrent options)

2:30 PM – Kapu tī (afternoon tea)
2:50 PM – Workshop Session 5 (options TBC)
4:00 PM – Closing Karakia
4:30 PM – ASFA Annual General Meeting (AGM)
6:00 PM – Social Event (details coming soon)

Saturday 15 November – Arai te Uru Marae

Location: 24 Shetland Street, Māori Hill

8:30 AM – Registration – meet outside the marae
9:00 AM – Pōwhiri (welcoming ceremony)
9:35 AM – Welcoming kōrero (talk)
10:30 AM – Kapu tī (morning tea)
10:50 AM – Guest Speakers – Sharon Shea & Stacey McGregor Whāngaihia Kia Tipu, Kia Puāwai – Braiding kaupapa Māori and neuroscience to deliver improved outcomes to Oranga Tamariki caregivers
12:30 PM – Kai hākari (lunch)

1:00 PM – Workshop Session 3 (2 concurrent options)
1:45 PM – Workshop Session 4 (2 concurrent options)
2:30 PM – Kapu tī (afternoon tea)
2:50 PM – The Mindsetter Game – an interactive learning session
4:00 PM – Poroaki and Closing Karakia
6:00 PM – Dinner (location and booking options to be confirmed)

Sunday 16 November – Closing Day

8:30 AM – Arrival & Morning Karakia
9:00 AM – Session 1 – Open Space
10:30 AM – Kapu tī (morning tea)
10:50 AM – Session 2 – Boast & Bag
12:30 PM – Conference Close & Poroaki

You can download the draft programme here 

 

With special guests