Plans are progressing well for our upcoming conference at the Wharewaka Function Centre, and we have now opened early bird registrations. We have now finalised the fee structure, and for 2025 the executive committee have decided to allow for more of a discounted rate for NZDNS members. Further discounts are available for those delegates who sign up to present at the conference.
As the conference is later in August, we have also decided to make the early bird pricing available until 20th June to allow more time for Te Whatu Ora nurses to apply for funding with the cheaper rates.

We would like to express our gratitude for the generosity of the pharmaceutical companies whose sponsorship allows us to keep conference fees for members so low, and to extend the opportunity for non-members to attend by helping fund venue hire and services for extended capacity. Please take the time to meet the representatives from the sponsoring companies, and as the Dermatologists' (NZDSI) conference will be nearby at Shed 6, we anticipate we will be allowing time to visit the trade displays there.

Big shout-out to our confirmed sponsors for 2025 - Novartis, Loreal, Douglas Pharmaceuticals/Ego, Eau Thermale Avène and LaCorium Health. We look forward to acknowledging others soon! 

NZDNS members early bird rate
$400 (payment due by 20th June)

Non-members early bird rate
$600 (payment due by 20th June)

NZDNS members general tier rate
$500 (payment due by 20th July)

Non-members general tier rate
$700 (payment due by 20th July)

Late registration after 20th July
Will be considered if capacity allows before cut-off date for confirming final numbers with the venue.
 

The conference programme is filling up, and we anticipate adding a few more nurse presenters to the line up once we are able to open registrations and delegates start planning their presentations. Our programme last year highlighted the popularity of presentations given by nurses which made up 80% of the content, and the feedback received was overwhelmingly positive. 

This year, we will be welcoming back Dr AJ Seine who gave a very informative presentation on vitiligo, and this year his topic is CO2 laser for skin rejuvenation.  Dr Seine is a Consultant Dermatologist, and accomplished surgeon who has successfully completed fellowships for both dermatology laser and Mohs Micrographic surgery. 

We also welcome back pharmacist Dr Amit Saha, LaCorium Health's Head of Technical and Innovation, who gave us plenty to think about with his explanation of the pharmacology behind acne management without the traditional peroxide and salicylic acid. We look forward to hearing what his topic is this year!

We are delighted and honoured to announce that Dr Amanda Oakley will be presenting to us this year. Dr Oakley probably needs no introduction owing to her long history of outstanding contributions to dermatology, including being the creator (and Chief Editor for 25 years) of the invaluable resource website DermNet New Zealand which is used around the world. Dr Oakley will be talking to us about AI for the diagnosis of skin lesions.

Our programme will also include "Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) – a personal story" by Dr Richard Barlow, a Consultant Dermatologist from the UK, who is here in New Zealand for the Mohs Micrographic Surgical fellowship at the Skin Centre is Tauranga. We are privileged to have Dr Barlow to share unique insights into this very rare skin condition.

Juliet Asbery, NZ's only Nurse Practitioner of Dermatology (and incoming Chairperson of the NZDNS Executive Committee) will be back on the programme​ for 2025, and we can look forward to one of her fascinating case study presentations from her incredible work​​​​​​ for Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa. Juliet is an inspiration to the dermatology nursing community, and a strong advocate for equitable access to excellence in healthcare. 

We are hoping to include a practical session with Sarah Maher, a Product Specialist/Trainer with Eau Thermale Avène. Sarah will be talking to us about Skin and Scar repair, and covering massage techniques, texture exposure and working with patients to apply emollients with a showcase on Avène products.

We will also hear updates on the support programme for people on Cosentyx from Kirsten Win from Novartis. Many of us have had the pleasure of seeing Kirsten during her visits to us in clinic to keep us apprised of Cosentyx developments/research updates as well as stocked on patient resources.

Last year we ran break out sessions catering to Aesthetic/Cosmetic, Surgical and Medical dermatology. This allowed for smaller discussion groups which allowed for more in depth discussion and knowledge sharing between delegates. The smaller groups meant that people felt more comfortable asking questions or sharing than they do with the whole conference group, and afforded more opportunities for connecting with other nurses. We received very positive comments on our feedback forms and would love to be able to offer the same type of session this year. If you would like to lead one of these break out groups, please let us know. It is helpful to pick a topic to get the discussion started, and have a few discussion points (or questions) to keep the ball rolling. Discussion group leaders will be offered the standard presenter discount of $200 off their registration fee.

If you are interested in presenting at the conference, or leading one of the break out groups, please contact Fi Syme.

We are working through the website changes, and aim to have registrations open very soon, as soon as we have worked out the technology! You will be able to either pay directly via internet banking, or you can request an invoice for your employer. 

We look forward to seeing you in Wellington!

Carly, Juliet, Michelle, Glenda & Nina - NZDNS Executive Committee
Fi, Hails & Bo - NZDNS Conference Organising Committee