27-28 August | 2026

Register for Conference 2026

What to Expect

We are looking forward to another energising and content rich Conference for delegates in Hamilton 2026. The Team at NZDNS are working on delivering a fantastic programme to you all at Claudelands Events Centre in Hamilton.

❋ Great Connections

With 72 delegates attending in 2025 we marked our highest turnout yet - demonstrating the growing strength and engagement of our dermatology nursing community. Let’s make it more for 2026!

❋ Outstanding Venue

The Claudelands Events Centre is the perfect location for our Conference in 2026. Located close to the CBD, delegates have the opportunity to do some exploring at the end of each day at Conference.

❋ Expert Presenters

We take pride in having a range of presenters at our Conference to cover the diversity in modern Dermatology practice. We especially appreciate our member presenters who as always, provide insight into day to day work as Dermatology Health Care Providers.

❋ Valued Sponsors

A heartfelt thank you to the companies who are sponsoring our event. Your support plays an essential role in advancing education and strengthening dermatology nursing across New Zealand.

Our Events

Close-up of a teal-colored globe with white lines and partial text showing '19'.

2026 Annual Conference

The 2026 NZDNS Conference is shaping up to be another exciting, educational, and engaging event, and we are already looking forward to bringing dermatology nurses together for two inspiring days in Hamilton. Planning is well underway to deliver a conference that is informative, thought-provoking, and—most importantly—fun, with a programme designed to support learning, connection, and professional growth.

2026 NZDNS Conference Registration

Our programme is nearly finalised, I am excited to share the most up to date version on our Website!

Many thanks to the wonderful Conference Organising Committee for all their work on a fantastic two days of educational content

Please note there may be last minute changes to the timings etc.

Novartis Sponsored Dinner for NZDNS Members 27 August

The Wayward Pigeon, 2A Gordontown Road, Chartwell, Hamilton

Registration Day One 27 August 2026 0730-0815 am

  • 0730-0815: Registration and Light Breakfast
  • 0815-0840: Welcome and Conference Opening Karen Gunson and Juliet Asbery
  • 0845-0915: Optimising therapies for psoriasis-Professor April Armstrong

  • 0920-1000: The patient experience of Rinvoq for Atopic Dermatitis-18 months in…Juliet Asbery, Nurse Practitioner

  • 1000-1030: Morning Tea Sponsored by Douglas

  • 1030-1100: Perpectives of MOHS and Tumour Margins, Dr Shaochen Liu

  • 1100-1115: Stepping up to be a MOHS Tech, Vanessa Harford

  • 1115-1200: New Zealand Nursing Council, Competencies and Requirements, Catherine Byrne and Waikura Kamo

  • 1200-1300: Lunch sponsored by ABBVIE

  • 1300-1330; Bullous Pemphigoid-Denny Wrottesley, Registered Nurse

  • 1330-1350: Cicalfate-Sarah Mahler, Avene

  • 1350-1400: Quiz, quick fire answers

  • 1400-1445: Vulval Dermatology, Dr Jenny Chung, Dermatologist

  • 1445-1530: Patch Testing-Amanda Palmer, Registered Nurse

  • 1530-1600: Afternoon Tea

  • 1600-1630: Breakout sessions: Topical steroid withdrawal in Vulvar Lichen sclerosus; Sophie Tarr, Registered Nurse Acne scarring

Day Two 28 August 2026 0730

  • 0730-0800: Light Breakfast sponsored by Avene

  • 0800-0830: Nutrition and Skin Health, Niki Russel, Dietician

  • 0830-0900: Cosentyx and Plaque Psoriasis Patient Journey, Stephanie Hamilton (Novartis)

  • 0900-0930: Skin Grafts, Juliet Asbery, Nurse Practitioner

  • 0930-1000: Acne, Natalie Wong (Douglas)

  • 1000-1030: Morning Tea Sponsored by Novartis

  • 1030-1100: Scars for Life Scratch/Itch Cycle, Professor Susan Robertson (L’Oreal Sponsored speaker)

  • 1100-1130: Stitches, sutures and staples, Karen Gunson, Registered Nurse

  • 1130-1200: NZDNS AGM

  • 1200-1300: Lunch Sponsored by L’Oreal

  • 1300-1315: Quiz and Spot prizes

  • 1315-1415: Melanoma NZ and site visit to their Mobile Van, Jade Castanos-Bosnic, Nurse Educator

  • 1345-1415: Dermatology experiences in Vietnam, Nathan Shore, Dermatology Registrar

  • 1415-1500: Clinical photography, Carly Scapens, Registered Nurse

  • 1500-1530: Cosmetic Dermatology, Dr Rosie Wigglesworth

  • 1530-1545: Closing Session and Conference 2027 Announcement

  • 1545-1600: Feedback forms and Farewell