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Education and Engagement

New Zealand Board of Geography Teachers

About the NZBoGT

The Board of Geography Teachers is a subcommittee of the New Zealand Geographical Society (NZGS). Our vision is to: 

  • support the quality teaching and learning of Geography in Aotearoa New Zealand secondary schools. 
  • raise the profile of Geography for students through participation in NZBoGT competitions and events. 
  • Promote links between the secondary and tertiary sectors and wider workforce within the geography community 

We advise and consult with the Ministry of Education and New Zealand Qualifications Authority on matters of interest to New Zealand geography teachers and students. The Board also supports activities and professional development programmes for teachers and students at the local level through either Subject Associations or NZGS branches.

For questions related to the NZBoGT website, please contact Mary Robinson at kaiarahigeography@gmail.com

Why join?

Teachers are valued members of the NZGS community. NZGS membership gives teachers access to a range of NCEA exam resources, learning materials, curriculum support and advice, access to workshops and specialist support (like the incredible GIS Champions). As part of this community, teachers also have the capacity to shape education policy, undertake leadership roles within the organisation, and take advantage of professional development opportunities.  

In addition to the resources you’ll find on the NZBoGT website, NZGS is creating and curating promotional materials, information about study options and events, and activities to support teachers and promote geography among secondary students. Explore the Education and Engagement section to find out more and feel free to suggest other resources! 

Promoting geography

Looking for resources you can use to promote geography in your school? We all want to raise awareness about the importance of geography and increase geoliteracy among our students. We are open to your ideas about how we can better serve our geo community in this capacity, but for now, we have started creating and pulling together some existing resources we think might interest you. 

Multimedia resources, print materials and activities

Here you’ll find links to YouTube videos about key concepts in geography, case studies, resources about geography careers (which we know parents appreciate!), activities and heaps of other stuff we’ve compiled to promote our discipline. If you have any suggestions about what to add or come across a great resource, feel free to let us know!  

For access to download the promo posters, contact Communications Officer, Cadey Korson, at cakorson@sc4.edu

Interested in studying geography?

Geography Programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand

Whether you’re a teacher or Careers Advisor looking to help a student or a potential student looking for more information about study options, we have done our best to list the geography programmes and degrees available in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Click the button below to explore study options. 

Events

To keep up with upcoming events within the NZGS community, follow us on social media.

Annual

GeoNight, One April evening each year, events are organized simultaneously around the world to highlight geography and geographers. This event gives the greater public a chance to familiarise themselves with geographical concepts and studies, and to make geographical research more accessible. 

Matangi whenua Geography competition for year 11 students, in August.  

The Olympiad programme is open to all New Zealand students of Geography. A national competition is held from which a team of four students is selected, trained, and supported to compete in the annual International Geography Olympiad (iGeo). The New Zealand team competes against teams from approximately 50 other countries from around the globe. 

NZ Board of Geography Teachers annual conference. 

The IAG Conference is the annual meeting of the Institute of Australian Geographers, aiming to promote and advance the discipline of geography. 

American Association of Geographers annual meeting 

Royal Geographical Society conference  

Held each year during the third week of November, Geography Awareness Week (GeoWeek) is a national public awareness program in the United States that elevates the importance of the geographic discipline, education, and spatial thinking. Established in 1987 by presidential proclamation, the week-long celebration encourages people of all ages to understand the significance of place and how geography shapes and affects our lives.

Biennial

Less Frequent

International Geographical Union Congress (every four years)

Next Congress: 2028 Melbourne, Australia. Date: 9th-14th July 2028. 

Conferences

The NZGS hosts a biennial conference bringing together industry professionals, students, researchers, academics and others together for a variety of talks, workshops, panels and networking opportunities. 

International Conference Schedule 

  • 2028 July 9-14 IGC Melbourne ’Making Geographical Connections’

  • 2032 Spain

NZGS Upcoming Conference Roster

  • 2026 Manawatū

  • 2029 Otago 

  • 2031 Auckland