New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists

29/06/2025

Aoteaora NZ Anaesthesia ASM 2025 Abstract Submissions are open!
Paper or poster submissions are invited from all delegates, with prestigious ANZCA and NZSA prizes on offer for eligible submissions.
🏆The John Ritchie Prize ($2,500)
🏆ANZCA Trainee Prize ($1,000)
🏆ASM Poster Prize ($500)

This is a great opportunity to share your research with colleagues across the motu.
Submissions close September 14.
Find out more: https://www.nzanaesthesia.com/abstracts/

27/06/2025

Today the NZSA and ANZCA NZNC held their annual joint meeting in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. We value the ongoing connection, the opportunity to discuss topics affecting both organisations, seek opportunities to work together and offer updates on recent work.

Thanks to NZSA President Dr Morgan Edwards and NZNC Chair Dr Graham Roper for chairing the meeting.

26/06/2025

Dinner at a Guinness World Record awarded film set? ✅
This year’s Aotearoa NZ Anaesthesia ASM dinner will be hosted at Hobbiton, crowned the world’s largest purpose-built film set by Guinness World Records!

Numbers are limited, so we recommend securing your place during registration. Dinner tickets are included in the full registration.

Earlybird registration is open: https://www.nzanaesthesia.com/
Join us in Kirikiriroa Hamilton for Aotearoa NZ Anaesthesia ASM 2025! 12-15 November

25/06/2025

Registration is open!
Register now for this popular event in Queenstown. Programme information, accommodation and registration are available on the Joint Anaesthesia Faculty Auckland (JAFA) website.

Plus workshops:
- BATS on Ice (BOI) Ultrasound for Regional Anaesthesia Workshop, Thursday 28 August.
- 2xACLS workshops, Friday 29 August, afternoon.
- POCUS Workshop, Saturday 30 August, afternoon.

All sessions are held in the mornings, leaving afternoons free to make the most of the workshops available, or to enjoy Queenstown—whether that means hitting the slopes (with buses running directly from the Heritage Hotel).

https://events.jafa.co.nz/aqua/

19/06/2025

Mānawatia a Matariki!

Introducing the NZSA’s te reo Māori name, Ngā Ringa Tauwhiro o Aotearoa, and launching new te reo Māori resources over Matariki this week was no coincidence. Matariki represents the spirit of unity, collaboration and kotahitanga (togetherness) in what we do. As a time for remembrance, celebration, and aspiration, we are reminded that we are not alone in our journey.

As we celebrate the expansion of the Society’s name and introduction of our new te reo Māori resources, we build on the foundations of those who have come before us, and we look ahead to our future. Seizing this opportunity to deepen cultural understanding and weave our community with the heritage of the country that brings us all together.

Kia pai te whakanui i a Matariki. We hope you have an enjoyable Matariki and find the time to remember, celebrate and come together with your community.

Image credit: https://matariki.co.nz

19/06/2025

The monthly online PACS by SPANZA Paediatric Anaesthesia CME series offers two pre-recorded talks and live discussion with senior members and experts. Registration is open to everyone, with the focus being on the occasional paediatric anaesthetist.

Running Tuesday evenings (9pm NZT), each session is around 90 minutes.
Your registration will allow you to attend all seven sessions, plus access to all session recordings.

The next session on 24 June will offer a Cardiac & Vascular Access update.
Sessions have already started, but you can register anytime and will get access to recordings of previous sessions.

See the programme and register now: https://willorganise.eventsair.com/2025-pacs

17/06/2025

New member exclusive resources!

We are delighted to have shared our te reo name Ngā Ringa Tauwhiro o Aotearoa earlier this week. Having a te reo Māori name accompany our English name is a good start, but we wanted to accompany this with action. So, to begin with the NZSA has developed new high-quality, practical te reo Māori resources as a learning tool for members. To help you introduce a little more te reo in your day to day, if you wish to.

Each offers short, simple words and phrases that are easy to incorporate into conversations with colleagues, patients, whānau and friends.

Members can access the new resources via the NZSA Member Dashboard (linked in comments).

16/06/2025

This resource offering information for patients about anaesthesia and Joint Replacement Surgery is available from MyAnaesthesia.

This free to access digital resource includes what to expect before, during and after your anaesthetic and procedure, the possible risks and some FAQs.

Check it out, share it with your colleagues and patients.
https://anaesthesia.nz/patient-resources/resources/joint-replacement-surgery/

All patient resources available from MyAnaesthesia are written in collaboration with anaesthetists in Aotearoa. They aim to help you by offering easy to access and understand information that you can share with patients and their whānau.

These resources are meant as a general guide only. They do not replace individual medical advice given by healthcare providers.

Patient education resources from the NZSA

16/06/2025

The New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists is adding to its name and visual identity its own te reo Māori name: New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists I Ngā Ringa Tauwhiro o Aotearoa.

Ngā Ringa Tauwhiro o Aotearoa metaphorically translates to unseen, nurturing care. Ringa Tauwhiro conveys an image of skilled hands offering calm, careful, and compassionate care. It speaks directly to the role of anaesthetists as the often unseen presence – nurturing and protecting patients’ wellbeing through their expertise. O Aotearoa is a reminder that the Society is intrinsically connected to our country. It grounds our identity within the culture, values and people of this land.

As a proud Aotearoa New Zealand organisation, having a te reo name reflects a fundamental aspect of our country’s heritage. It aligns the Society with many other health organisations who have done the same, and it recognises our commitment to te tiriti, to equity and inclusion.

More in comments

11/06/2025

This year's Aotearoa Anaesthesia ASM will be in Kirikiriroa Hamilton! Home to Duck Island Ice Cream, which has just celebrated its 10th birthday 🎉 We're excited to be just down the road in November at the Claudelands Event Centre!

See you there 12-15 November 2025.
Earlybird registration is open https://www.nzanaesthesia.com/

10/06/2025

NZSA President Dr Morgan Edwards, Executive Committee Members Dr James McAlpine and Dr Renee Franklin and CEO Kylie McQuellin met with Minister of Health Hon Simeon Brown today.

We’re grateful for his time today to discuss topical issues, including some of the challenges and opportunities we’re hearing from members across the motu. More to come in future member updates.

09/06/2025

IS PACMaC has a new website!
IS PACMaC: In Situ – Paediatric Anaesthesia Crisis Management Course is a simulation-based course offering anaesthetists and perioperative teams the opportunity to practise managing paediatric anaesthesia crises in their own clinical environment. It is specifically designed for those caring for children in the theatre setting.

View programme details, upcoming courses and book yours on their new website: https://willorganise.eventsair.com/is-pacmac/