Program

King’s Birthday Weekend — Celebrating Our Past. Exploring Our Future.

King’s Birthday Weekend 2026 will mark a milestone in New Zealand amateur radio history.
The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) will gather to celebrate one hundred years of organised amateur radio in this country — and to look forward to the next century.

The 2026 Conference is built around two central themes:

Saturday — Celebrating Our Past
Sunday — Exploring Our Future


This is not just another annual conference. It is a centennial.

🔔 Why This Matters

A Centennial Conference is not an ordinary conference. It is a once-in-a-generation celebration.
We want every person attending — delegate or companion — to leave Auckland feeling part of something memorable

Main Program

Alternative Program

Friday – Early Birds Welcome

For those arriving on Friday afternoon, registration opens at 5:00pm, followed by an informal meet-and-greet and optional early bird dinner. It’s a relaxed opportunity to reconnect with friends from around the country before the formal programme begins.

Saturday – Celebrating Our Past

Saturday morning begins with formal registration and the official Conference Opening at 9:00am.
The opening session will include:

The morning continues with the NZART AGM, with time allocated for visiting dignitaries to address attendees, including:

Saturday afternoon turns to history.
Craig Crawford will lead a dedicated NZART History Programme featuring:

The evening programme includes a formal dinner, invited speaker (confirmation pending), official toasts, and a themed Roaring Forties theme with an incredible musical trio — a fitting tribute to those who began this journey a century ago. The Auckland Committee ask you to dress in style, 40’s garb if possible but definitely a suit and equivalent for the ladies.

Prizes will be awarded for the best dressed woman and the best dressed man.

Sunday – Exploring Our Future

Sunday moves decisively forward. Parallel streams will cover:

• AREC and emergency communications
• Awards and YLAGM sessions
• Digital modes including FT8 and emerging protocols
• DMR, D-Star and Fusion
• Mesh networking and hotspots
• Winlink and modern HF data systems
• SDR developments
• Jock White Memorial Field Day
• Coastguard collaboration
• Alpine Fault Line preparedness

We are also awaiting confirmation from Rocket Lab regarding participation — a reminder that amateur radio continues to intersect with space, innovation and national infrastructure.
Retailer stands will operate throughout the weekend, providing access to equipment, displays and technical discussion.
Sunday evening features dinner, awards presentations and an address from both Hon Mark Mitchell MP who is the Minister of Emergency Response and Minister of Police and Timothy Ellam VE6SH focusing on the next 100 years of amateur radio.

Monday – Honouring Our Origins

The weekend concludes with optional visits including:

These visits anchor our centennial in both history and technical achievement.

Why This Matters

The 2026 Conference is more than a timetable of sessions. It represents: