Media and communication experts gather in Ōtautahi Christchurch

In 2024, Ōtautahi Christchurch hosted one of the world’s biggest communication conferences, the International Association for Media and Communications Research (IAMCR), putting indigenous knowledge at the centre of communication research.

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Christchurch welcomes 1,300 global communication experts

Christchurch hosted IAMCR 2024, a landmark event blending global media research with indigenous knowledge. Welcoming 1,300 international delegates from over 61 different countries, the conference celebrated Aotearoa’s bicultural heritage, with collaboration from iwi, universities and international scholars.

The theme of IAMCR 2024 was Whiria te tangata | Weave the people together: Communicative projects of decolonising, engaging, and listening. It invited reflection on the terms and models appropriate to describe contemporary communication, including the political and moral goals embedded in them.

Media and communication research explores the influence and impact of the media and new information technology. It shows how communication and media work in a broader social context.

Keynote speakers included Linda Tuhiwai Smith (Distinguished Professor at Whare Wānanga o Awanuiarangi), who is a global authority on indigenous methods in the social sciences, and Selina Tusitala Marsh (Auckland University), one of New Zealand’s leading Pacific scholars was also a key speaker.

How did IAMCR find success through collaboration?

The conference was an example of collaboration at its best, hosted by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) and delivered in collaboration with local iwi, Ngāi Tūāhuriri and senior academics from seven New Zealand universities.

UC Professor Donald Matheson, Chair of the Local Organising Committee, says IAMCR 2024 has put Ōtautahi Christchurch and Aotearoa New Zealand on the map and will lead to further research projects and other valuable connections.

A diverse range of collaborators worked together to bring the IAMCR to life – from identification, bidding, securing the win, to planning and implementation.

“It takes the sum of all doing their parts well to get the results like IAMCR,” Professor Matheson says.

“The theme of the conference lends itself perfectly to this, ‘Whiria te tāngata - Weaving people together’, the strength that comes through common purpose.”

Aotearoa New Zealand's unique bicultural history and position make it an ideal location for this conference. It is also a land of immigrants spanning from the first waka 1000 years ago to recent Pacific and Asian immigration. This history underpins strong connections across the Pacific and a shared legacy of addressing colonial impacts on health, environment and security.

UC’s position of being the only tertiary institution in Aotearoa to have a formal Te Tiriti partnership with local iwi Ngāi Tūāhuriri also contributed to the successful bid.

Why IAMCR highlighted early-career excellence

IAMCR 2024 was a conference of emerging scholars, with about 40 percent of participants still doing their research degrees. This added energy and ensured there were a lot of new ideas discussed.

IAMCR offered awards and grants for participating members including 25 travel grants, awards for excellent papers dealing with climate change communication, urban communication, or rural communication services.

Communication and policy professionals were invited to come along for a day or two of the conference to connect with research.

“We are all working through many of the same issues, including the pace of technological change, questions of trust in communicators, the way communication reinforces inequality between rich and poor, the role that communication can play in global challenges such as climate justice, public health and safeguarding the fragile structures of democracy,”

Professor Matheson

What were the economic and legacy benefits of the IAMCR conference for Christchurch?

Conference Innovators managed the project locally using multiple venues and hotels, including Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Crowne Plaza Christchurch, Distinction Christchurch Hotel, Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square, and Tūranga Christchurch Library, with social events happening across central city hospitality spaces such as Riverside Markets.

Professor Matheson says the economic and legacy impacts of the event can’t be underestimated. “Christchurch will feel the positive effects of hosting these international guests not only during the event, but for years after.”

Reducing environmental impact

The conference had a strong focus on reducing its environmental impact and also prioritised accessibility for all.

Planned activities included planting trees in a regenerating wetland, an urban walk telling of the partnership between the tribe and the city in rebuilding the city centre, media art exhibitions and more.

“Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is in the centre of town, so most participants were able to walk to and from their accommodation. Te Pae also has a surprisingly small environmental footprint itself. We had volunteer 'eco-angels’ walking the floor, advising people on little steps they can take and handing out tickets to the heritage (electric) tram as spot awards,” Professor Matheson says.

Key takeaways

1. Global Impact and Attendance

The IAMCR 2024 conference brought together 1,300 international delegates from over 61 countries, showcasing Christchurch as a global hub for media and communication research.

2. Indigenous Knowledge at the Centre

The conference theme, Whiria te tangata | Weave the people together, focused on decolonising, engaging, and listening, with keynote speakers Linda Tuhiwai Smith and Selina Tusitala Marsh highlighting indigenous and Pacific scholarship.

3. Strong Local Collaboration

Hosted by the University of Canterbury in partnership with Ngāi Tūāhuriri and academics from seven NZ universities, the event exemplified collaborative success and leveraged UC’s unique Te Tiriti partnership.

4. Support for emerging scholars

Around 40% of attendees were early-career researchers, with IAMCR offering grants and awards to support participation and excellence in areas like climate change and urban communication.

5. Legacy and economic benefits for Christchurch

The conference delivered long-term legacy impacts, boosting local venues and hospitality, and positioning Christchurch for future research collaborations and international recognition.