Capital City Complex Systems Symposium 2026

Nau mai haere mai ki tēnei hui!

Ka mihi mātou ki ngā mana whenua o tēnei takiwā, ki a Taranaki whānui, me ngā hapū, iwi iwi katoa kua tau i kōnei, me ō rātou mahi whakahirahira, mahi tiaki i ngā taonga o ēnei whenua.

Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, is the capital city of Aotearoa New Zealand. Māori have lived in Te Whanganui a Tara for 800 years. We acknowledge Taranaki whānui, and all the peoples who have lived here, and their close relationship with the lands and waters.

The Capital City Complex Systems Symposium 2026 will explore cutting-edge knowledge of complex systems and complexity, and how this knowledge is being used to better understand systems and drive system change. It will be held in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, during summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

The theme for the conference is ‘Understanding complex systems: Theory, practice and impact’.

Our programme, including speakers, can be viewed here

Following the success of previous symposia in 2023 and 2024, this event will continue to foster interdisciplinary, cross-sector and cross-society collaboration in complex systems thinking, research and action. In 2026, the symposium will integrate the latest insights from complex systems science with the pressing concerns facing communities, businesses, and policymakers today. A particular focus will be how complexity science has evolved and how it is informing contemporary actions and solutions for prosperous, resilient, equitable and democratic societies – amid growing global challenges.

The symposium will explore complexity through a rich interdisciplinary lens, bringing together philosophical and epistemological perspectives alongside practical insights from fields including artificial intelligence, infrastructure, health, education, climate, and the environment, and cutting-edge insights from Māori and local communities. Attendees will engage with understandings of complexity, examine innovative methods and tools for working within complex systems, and discuss the implications for public policy, governance, leadership and Indigenous system change.

This inclusive, supportive event is essential for anyone interested in understanding the trajectory and practical applications of complex systems knowledge — including researchers, leaders, policymakers, innovators, changemakers, practitioners, and students. Whether you’re deeply experienced in complex systems research or newly curious about its potential, the symposium will provide valuable insights, networking opportunities, and inspiration.

We are taking registrations for two optional pre-event workshops on Monday 23 February

The Capital City Complex Systems Symposium 2026 will take place on 24–25 February 2026 at the Tiakiwai Conference Centre, National Library of New Zealand, Wellington.

Optional pre-event workshop

9am -12.30pm - Workshop 1: Introduction to systems thinking with causal loop diagrams

1.30pm - 5pm - Workshop 2: Introduction of complex system simulation models

Tiakiwai Conference Centre

D ay 1

9am-5pm Symposium, Tiakiwai Conference Centre

5pm-6pm Networking Cocktail Hour

6pm-9pm Dinner, Thistle Inn

D ay 2

9 am - 5pm Symposium, Tiakiwai Conference Centre

Programme - Feb 24 and 25

Workshop 1 - Introduction to Systems Thinking with Causal Loop Diagrams

This workshop will introduce participants to qualitative systems thinking tools, particularly Causal Loop Diagrams, to help understand or navigate complex systems. These help us conceptualise and understand problems, allowing us an ability to understand the inter-connectivity of complicated cause and effect and, importantly, areas to take action to effect change.

The approach in systems thinking is different to most analytic and modelling techniques that are applied in problem or policy analysis, however they are very complimentary.

After this workshop participants will:

• Understand how to conceptualise a problem from a systems thinking perspective;
• Have an understanding of what a Causal Loop Diagram is
• Know when the Causal Loop Diagram may be usefully applied.

Note: This workshop is framed as an introduction to systems thinking, not a training. The facilitators subscribe to the view that systems thinking skills are developed over time through practice and mentoring.

Workshop 2 - Introduction of Complex System Simulation Models

This workshop will explore complexity from the perspective of simple simulation models. We will use NetLogo, a modelling platform that allows users to build, run, and explore grid-based (cellular) and agent-based models, two popular kinds of model often deployed in complexity science.

We will introduce models to explore key concepts that underpin the dynamics of complex systems

The session will also give attendees the opportunity to build a simple model of complex behaviour in NetLogo, encouraging them in their future explorations of complexity science.

After this workshop participants will:

• Understand key concepts that underpin the dynamics of complex systems, of emergence, path dependence, and feedback
• Be able to use Netlogo to create simple models of complex behaviour