The conference brings together engineers and water experts who help manage the world’s water resources.
The successful bid to bring the conference to Wellington was led by Dr Gregory De Costa from the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. De Costa is also a past chair of IAHR’s Asia Pacific Division.
“It’s an opportunity for New Zealand to showcase itself as a key player in this area, particularly with the 2028 congress central theme being ‘Water our treasure’; very timely with climate change and water-related issues so prominent,” said De Costa.
“Wellington is an ideal size with all the modern conveniences, perfectly positioned and very close at heart with water. It’s surrounded by a beautiful harbour, and 40 per cent of its water is supplied by ground water from the Waiwhetū aquifer right beneath the city.
“It’s a city that directly relates to all water issues – flooding, drought, tsunami, surface water, ground water and coastal, and hence a very good location for the conference.
“Further, this congress will highlight New Zealand as a country for cutting-edge research and technology dissemination which will help boost it as a destination for tertiary study, particularly for many Asian students contemplating overseas study.”
De Costa collaborated with Prof Alan Brent of the Faculty of Engineering at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington on the bid, which also had support from Business Events Wellington and Tourism New Zealand Business Events.
The conference will take place at the Pipitea campus of Victoria University in Wellington and is expected to have an economic impact of NZ$1 million for Wellington.
“This win is a good example of us focusing on our intellectual capital in New Zealand to attract conferences that align with the expertise we have here as well as the needs we have,” said Business Events Wellington manager, Irette Ferreira.
