The 20th New Zealand Management Accounting (NZMA) Conference 2026
Join us for the 20th New Zealand Management Accounting (NZMA) Conference, to be held at The University of Waikato in the beautiful river city of Hamilton from 23–25 November 2026.
Hosted by Waikato Management School, the theme of this year's conference is Panonitia Te Ao Kaute Kia Eke - Transforming Management Accounting.
The 20th NZMA Conference is combined in 2026 with 'Advances in Management Accounting', the World Conference on Management Accounting Research.
This annual conference will bring together leading academics, industry professionals, policymakers and research students from around New Zealand and beyond to engage in meaningful dialogue, and explore research issues aligned with this year’s theme.
For the second time, the conference will also include a Doctoral Colloquium on Monday, 23 November, providing an excellent opportunity for PhD and masters students to present their research and receive valuable feedback from experienced academics.
For enquiries, please email Associate Professor Umesh Sharma (opens in a new tab) at umesh.sharma@waikato.ac.nz (opens in a new tab).
Registration fees
To help with your planning, the registration fees are as follows:
- PhD students: NZ$150 + GST ($172.50 incl. GST)
- General conference registration after 6 October 2026: NZ$450 + GST ($517.50 incl. GST)
- Please note: Surcharge fees will be added at registration.
Key information
Mon, 23 November: Doctoral Colloquium
Tue & Wed, 24–25 November: Main NZMA Conference
Tue, 24 November: Conference Dinner (Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts)
Venue: MSB.0.01 Foyer, Waikato Management School, The University of Waikato, Hamilton
Academic plenary speaker
Professor Sumit Lodhia is an international recognised accounting scholar at Adelaide University, Australia, where he leads research on sustainability accounting, integrated reporting, governance, carbon accounting, corporate social responsibility, and corporate communication.
Since 2019, Prof. Lodhia has consistently ranked in the world's top 2% of cited researchers for Accounting (Stanford University Top 2% World Scientist Ranking), reflecting the global impact of his work. His work has advanced understanding of how organisations measure, report, and communicate their environmental, social, and sustainability performance.
Professor Lodhia is widely recognised as the creator of 'The Qualitative Pitch', a research template used by academics around the world to develop and pitch qualitative research ideas. In 2017, he received the prestigious Hall of Fame Award from the Australasian Centre for Social and Environmental Accounting (A-CSEAR) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to sustainability accounting research.
With strong links to industry, Professor Lodhia's work informs the sustainability accounting practices of major organisations in both the public and private sectors, while also shaping the next generation of emerging researchers through his teaching and PhD supervision.
He has published more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, authored a book, and produced numerous industry-focused research reports. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Emerald journal Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, and Associate Editor of Meditari Accountancy Research.
Industry plenary speakers
Charlotte Evett joined Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand in 2013, bringing more than 20 years' experience in roles across the financial services, energy, and government sectors in New Zealand, the USA, and the UK.
As General Manager New Zealand Regions, she leads a dynamic team that supports more than 31,000 members across Aotearoa. She also leads CA ANZ's trans-Tasman diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programme.
Charlotte has been recognised as a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) for her contributions to the profession and community.
At the NZMA Conference, she will present a plenary session on the topic, 'The Future of Finance: Preparing future management accountants for a changing profession.'
Sheree Ryan is an XRB Board member, Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Accounting Standards Board (NZASB), and Chair of the Statement of Performance Review Committee.
She has held Chief Financial Officer roles across the public sector, manufacturing, and dairy industries.
A Fellow Chartered Accountant of CA ANZ, a Fellow Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) of Australia, and a Chartered Governance Professional of the Chartered Governance Institute of New Zealand, Sheree brings extensive expertise in reporting, taxation, governance, and regulatory standards.
Sheree has a strong understanding of Te Ao Māori and longstanding connections with Māori businesses, marae, and iwi. She holds a number of governance and advisory roles, serving as as Chair of the Wintec Council, director of Tuu Aatea Ltd, Te Nehenehenui, Te Whaka Kitenga o Waikato, and the Mangarapa Trust. She is also is a member of Inland Revenue's Tax and Social Policy Māori Reference Group.
Passionate about developing the profession, Sheree has mentored accounting and governance professionals at all stages of their careers.
Amy Wharakura-Taewa (Waikato: Ngaati Mahuta, Ngaati Te Ata) is Pou Matua – Aapiha Tumu Arumoni / GM Financial Officer at Waikato-Tainui, where she is a member of Te Kootuinga, the organisation's senior leadership team, with responsibility for corporate finance and audit functions.
A University of Waikato alumna with a Bachelor of Management Studies in Accounting, Amy first joined Tainui Group Holdings as a graduate accountant in 2009.
Over the past 16 years she has steadily grown her skills and expertise, moving into senior accounting roles with Ernst & Young Tahi Ltd and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, before she returned to Tainui Group Holdings in 2017 and progressed to Head of Finance in 2020. She subsequently moved into a senior financial leadership role as Chief Financial Officer with Waikato-Tainui.
Today, Amy's work brings together financial leadership and iwi purpose, contributing to broader conversations about Maori enterprise and intergenerational investment. She has represented Waikato-Tainui in international financial markets, including presenting the iwi’s assets, identity and values to underwriters at Lloyd’s in London in 2025.
Rebecca Kennedy (CA, CPA) has a career spanning academia, professional accounting, consulting and financial capability development. She is Technical Assurance and Assessment Manager at CPA Australia and remains actively involved in tertiary education and research.
Her background includes management accounting education and research, consulting in strategic management accounting and sustainability, professional accounting education, and financial capability development in the New Zealand public sector.
Her current research interests include strategic financial management, the use of AI and digital technologies for sustainability, sustainability management accounting control systems, and capability development for professional accountants. She serves on the Editorial Board of Advances in Environmental Accounting & Management.
Rebecca has a longstanding interest in the changing role of accountants and how accounting education and professional development can build the integrated technical, business and broader capabilities required by current and future accounting professionals.
NZMA Doctoral Colloquium Programme
Date: Monday, 23 November 2026
Time: 9am - 4.20pm
Locations: MSB.0.01 (Stream 1) and MSB.1.20 (Stream 2), Waikato Management School, The University of Waikato
Download the programme (opens in a new tab)
The Doctoral Colloquium brings together doctoral candidates, plus mentors and academics from across New Zealand and Australia, to share their research, exchange ideas, and build scholarly connections.
It offers a supportive and collegial setting in which 12 PhD candidates at different stages of their research journey can present their work, receive constructive feedback, and engage in thoughtful discussion with experienced researchers and fellow doctoral students.
Each presentation is 15 minutes, plus 15 minutes for feedback and questions. Topics will cover everything from the generative mechanisms of ESG greenwashing, to climate-related disclosures and carbon accounting, to the integration of artificial intelligence in accounting education.
Key contacts
Conference co-convenors: Umesh Sharma, Chris Akroyd, Mary Low
Conference committee members: Christo Ackerman, Pei-Chi Kelly, Siu Chan, Abhishek Mukherjee, Jhon Blesia, Vida Botes, Murugesh Arunachalam, Hannah Li, and Racheal Liu.
Registrations now open
Accommodation special offers
University of Waikato College Hall
Conference delegates can stay on campus at University of Waikato College Hall (opens in a new tab), located off Gate 4, Hillcrest Road, for a discounted rate of $95 per night, with Continental breakfast included.
This accommodation option can be selected and booked during the conference registration process.
Accor Hotels
Accor Hotels is pleased to offer guests attending the NZMA conference a special 10% discount off the public rate (opens in a new tab) for room reservations at both the Novotel Hamilton Tainui Hotel and the Ibis Tainui Hamilton Hotel.
This special offer is valid for stays 23rd - 25th November only*, and the booking needs to be made by Friday, 23rd October 2026. Rooms are subject to availability.
- Novotel Hamilton Tainui Hotel (opens in a new tab) - 7 Alma Street, Hamilton CBD
- Ibis Hamilton Tainui Hotel (opens in a new tab) - 18 Alma Street, Hamilton CBD
*If you wish to stay outside these dates, please use the link to place your booking for dates within the discounted period, then email the reservations team directly on h2159-re2@accor.com to request a quote for any additional nights required.
Aspen Manor Motel
Guests attending the NZMA conference can take advantage of a special 10% discount off the public rate for room reservations at the Aspen Manor Motel.
You must book directly through the hotel's own website - www.aspenmanor.co.nz (opens in a new tab) - or phone them on 07 856 9029 or 0800 277 369, and state that you are attending the New Zealand Management Accounting Conference.
If you book through another website, such as booking.com, the discount will not apply. Rooms are subject to availability at the time of booking.
- Aspen Manor Motel (opens in a new tab) - 209 Grey Street, Hamilton East
Other accommodation options:
There are numerous accommodation options (hotels, motor lodges, B&Bs) available within 15-30 minutes' travel from the University of Waikato's campus - in either central Hamilton, Tamahere, or Cambridge. See the following websites for details.