Reflecting on Cutting Edge 2025 – Thank You for Joining Us

As Cutting Edge 2025 comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us in Rotorua. It was wonderful to gather again after our time in Kirikiriroa in 2023, and to reconnect, reflect, and celebrate the incredible mahi happening across Aotearoa.

We are deeply grateful to all who took time out of their busy schedules to attend, and to the kaimahi and teams who held the fort at home to make that possible. The past two years have brought significant change, with challenges and opportunities across our communities and services. Against this backdrop, Cutting Edge offered a much-needed space to pause, share, and look ahead together.

This year’s conference was one of our most vibrant yet, with a record number of abstracts received, a full and inspiring programme of plenaries, workshops, breakout sessions, and posters, and the most scholarships ever awarded.

A huge thank you also to our speakers and presenters for the depth and generosity of your contributions, and to those who travelled long distances to be part of the event. Your insights and stories enriched the kōrero and strengthened our collective vision for the future of our sector.

We also acknowledge everyone who worked behind the scenes to bring Cutting Edge to Rotorua and to our local hosts for their warmth and hospitality. The awards dinner gave us the chance to celebrate some of our sector heroes, while the exhibition floor offered inspiration and learning for all who visited.

On behalf of the dapaanz staff and Board, thank you for making Cutting Edge 2025 such a success. We hope you left refreshed, reconnected, and inspired and we look forward to gathering with you again in 2027.