CDNM 2025 Symposium Christchurch
The Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (Australia and New Zealand) (CDNM) was delighted to host the 2025 CDNM Symposium on 30–31 October in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
The event brought together more than 300 leading nursing and midwifery academics, researchers, and practitioners from across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, reflecting the strong and enduring partnership between the two nations. The symposium provided a vibrant platform for dialogue, collaboration, and shared learning across the sector.
Keynote speakers included distinguished figures such as Professor (Practice) Alison J McMillan PSM, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Lorraine Hetaraka, Chief Nurse of the Ministry of Health New Zealand, Professor Suzanne Pitama, Dean of the University of Otago Medical School and Talei Jackson, Senior Lecturer in the new Master of Clinical Practice (Midwifery) Programme at the University of Waikato.
The two-day program featured diverse presentations exploring critical themes in nursing and midwifery education, research, and practice, including:
- Education: AI & Digital Simulation, Integrating Indigenous Knowledges, and Gender Diversity in Curricula
- Practice: Resilience & Psychosocial Well‑being, Caregiver Support & Transitions, and De‑escalation & Safety
- Leadership and Policy: Rural Health Reform Leadership, Nurse Practitioner Legislative Reform, Workforce Ethics & Internationally Qualified Nurses
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Nature's Symphony
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Faces of Humanity
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Sands of Time
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Beyond Boundaries
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Symposium Presentation Awards
CDNM congratulates the winners of the Symposium Oral and Poster Presentation Awards:
Oral Presentation Winners
- Ms Patricia Gauci (Western Sydney University), 1.3 - Gender discrimination in nursing: “He stood there in an auditorium full of educated women and called us girls”
- Dr Kiri Hunter (Auckland University of Technology), 4.3 - Decolonising and politicising nursing education: An exemplar of a professional supervision short course
- Miss Maria Flash (University of Auckland) and Miss Hannah Brook (University of Auckland), 2.3 - Inaugural School of Nursing Planetary Health Report Card in Aotearoa
Poster Presentation Winners
- P123 - Kelli Innes, Monash University - Exploring an innovative integrated clinical placement model for nursing
- P127 – Belinda Davis, RMIT University - Empowering neurodiverse students transition into employment for a healthier, inclusive nursing workforce
- P139 – Elyce Pate, University of Adelaide - Improving Paediatric Nursing Education: Tackling Placement Shortages through Experiential Learning at Kindergym
Engagement Winners
- Miss Michelle Levy, University of Sydney
- Dr Katrina Lane-Krebs, Central Queensland University
CDNM extends sincere thanks to all keynote speakers, panellists, and workshop facilitators for their insightful contributions. A special thanks to the symposium's sponsors whose generous support helped make the event possible: Tourism New Zealand | Manaakitanga Aotearoa, ChristchurchNZ Business Events, Edith Cowan University, Monash University, The University of Sydney, Nursing Education in the Tertiary Sector (NETs), Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), Adelaide University, Griffith University, Australian Catholic University, University of Auckland, College of Nurses Aotearoa, Mediquip, Buderim Bioactive Ginger+, Ausmed and End of Life Law for Clinicians (ELLC).
The dedication and leadership of Symposium Chair Professor Julia Slark, together with the organising and scientific committees, were instrumental in the symposium’s success. CDNM also acknowledges the active participation and engagement of attendees, whose enthusiasm enriched every session and discussion.
As CDNM looks ahead, it remains committed to advancing excellence and innovation in nursing and midwifery education, research and practice across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Details of the next CDNM Symposium in 2027 will be announced soon.
