Abstract Submissions
The Conference theme, Shaping the Future of Marine Discovery will focus on the future of hydrography, and emerging developments and techniques. Hydrospatial 2026 will bring together speakers from varying maritime fields including: specialist hydrographic streams, maritime transport, oceanography, exploration, habitat mapping, environmental science, maritime heritage, defence, tourism, coastal development, ports and harbours, Law of the Sea, and government.
The geo-political landscape within the Asia-Pacific region is changing and many of the traditional sources of trade and associated trade routes may alter with a consequent shift in hydrographic surveying focus. The global focus on climate change and the increasing use of autonomous technology will require a re-think of hydrography especially in light of recent events which have impacted the global economy including the COVID-19 pandemic, trade policies and focus on sovereignty.
Hydrography remains a fundamental driver to the world’s and regional economies, providing an abundance of opportunities to the profession of hydrographic surveying and businesses related to the maritime industry. This Conference will assist many of the industry and related players, plus developing states, within New Zealand, Australia and the South West Pacific region in identifying issues affecting businesses, economies, and industry development.
This international and regional event seeks to gain insight as to these effects and the opportunities that may arise, as well as provide a platform to show how hydrography and the ‘Blue Economy’ remains important to the Asia‑Pacific region.
With a keen eye on our changing world and noting these opportunities and challenges, the theme of Hydrospatial 2026 has been selected to focus on and address emerging issues influencing us today and in the future.
Call for Abstracts
The Organising Committee invites prospective participants to submit abstracts, which comply with the guidelines (below) for oral presentations. Submissions are sought to reflect the conference theme and will be selected on merit. Those selected for inclusion in the program will best reflect the theme and sub-themes, plus allow an overall balance to the final program.
Oral presentations will be for fifteen minutes plus five minutes question time per submission.
A list is provided below related to the theme and possible sub-themes that authors may wish to present. All authors are expected to provide permission for their abstract presentations to be published in the Hydrospatial 2026 Proceedings, which will be available to all registrants in mid-March 2026. Full conference papers are not required.
Key Dates
| Monday 30 June 2025 | Abstracts submissions open |
| Monday 3 November 2025 | Abstracts submissions close |
| Monday 15 December 2025 | Authors notified of outcome |
| Monday 2 February 2026 | Presenting author registration deadline |
| Monday 23 February 2026 | Draft program released |
| Monday 23 - Thursday 26 March 2026 | Hydrospatial 2026 |
Conference Theme
The Conference theme 'Shaping the future of Marine Discovery' acknowledges the role of hydrography in understanding the marine environment and the future role it will have to play in that realm. Focusing on the future of hydrography, and emerging developments and techniques, Hydrospatial 2026 will bring together speakers from varying maritime fields including: specialist hydrographic streams, maritime transport, oceanography, research organisations, offshore exploration, environmental science, maritime heritage, defence, tourism, coastal development, ports and harbours, Law of the Sea, and government. In further keeping with the theme we are also aiming to shape the future by encouraging student attendance to the conference.
Hydrography serves as the foundational science that unlocks our understanding of the world's oceans, making it indispensable to shaping the future of marine discovery. By precisely mapping seafloor topography, capturing backscatter, measuring water depths, and charting underwater features, hydrography provides the critical baseline data that enables safe navigation, sustainable resource management, and groundbreaking oceanographic research. As we face unprecedented challenges from climate change, rising sea levels, and increasing maritime activity, accurate hydrographic surveys become essential for understanding ocean dynamics, protecting marine ecosystems, and supporting the blue economy. Modern hydrographic technologies including multibeam sonar, autonomous underwater vehicles and bathymetric lidar systems—are revolutionizing how we explore previously inaccessible ocean depths and reshape our knowledge of marine environments. The conference and trade exhibition aims to create a networking opportunity for hydrospatial professionals to discuss these technologies and their use cases amongst other things. It is also timely to consider how we set ourselves up for the future and encourage the next generation of hydrospatial professionals to be part of that conversation.
The venue and theme are fitting given the namesake of Te Whanganui a Tara which translates to “the great harbour of Tara”, a name said to come from Whatonga’s son Tara who was sent down from Mahia Peninsula by his father to explore southern lands for their people to settle. In later years many would come to settle around the harbour and surrounding areas, utilising the water for trade and commerce. A trend that continues to this very day.
Hydrography and Hydrospatial Themes
Some suggested themes are shown below, which may be used by authors and presenters:
| Hydrography and Specialist Hydrographic Streams | Climate Change & Sea Level Rise |
| Oceanography and Meteorology | Environmental Protection |
| Environmental Science and Industry | Coastal Development |
| Government and Governance | Law of the Sea |
| Education | Indigenous
knowledge |
| Training,
Development and Recruitment of Hydrographic Staff | Habitat Mapping |
| The Blue Economy | Maritime Transport |
| Offshore Exploration | Defence |
| Maritime Heritage | Tourism |
| Ports and Harbours | Emergence
of AI and Automation |
| International Intergovernmental, Non-governmental and Regional Organisations |
Abstract Guidelines
The abstract should be a précis of the material to be presented, and must include concise descriptive content that explains the value of the information. The selection of the oral presentations by the Program Committee will be based on your abstract. If your abstract is selected for presentation, remember that you will be talking to a diversely experienced, professional audience. Oral presentations will be for fifteen minutes plus five minutes question time per submission.
Abstracts must not exceed 500 words.
Structure
Abstracts should be saved as an MS Word document (.docx), and an electronic copy be submitted via the submission site by Monday 3 November 2025.
Please ensure that you write your abstract in a simple and easily understood manner. Abstracts are to be structured as follows:
1. Title. The title should be succinct - maximum of 30 words.
2. Author/s. This section should include the author’s name/s. Followed by their organisation/s name in italics.
3. Abstract and Conclusions. Body of the text - 500 words.
Formatting
Please ensure that the following formatting instructions are adhered to, as reformatting for the conference proceedings will not be possible:
1. Margins:
a. Left and Right - 2.50 centimetres.
b. Top and Bottom - 2.50 centimetres.
2. Title. Arial, bold and 16 point.
3. Author Details. Underline the name of the speaker if there is more than one author. Organisation/s name in italics. Arial, font size 10.
4. Justification. Full.
5. Font. Arial, font size 12.
6. Spell Check Language. Use English (Australian or UK).
7. Paragraph Layout. Single line spacing. One return between paragraphs. One space should be inserted following full stops and colons.
8. Tables:
a. When typing tables, please ensure that they are set up using the table feature (or from Excel) and not typed using the space bar or tabs.
b. Please ensure that tables are numbered, labelled and inserted into the text (font size 10, centre the title and table).
9. Figures:
a. To be imported or created in the text (Excel format preferred).
b. To be labelled and numbered (font size 10, centre the title and figure).