More than 300 veterinarians, veterinary nurses and technicians attended Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa’s (VSA) annual Te Tihi continuing education conference this year.
Held across Auckland and Christchurch, Te Tihi 2026 brought together veterinary professionals from around New Zealand for a full day of continuing education, networking, and discussion on the latest developments in clinical practice.
The conference was delivered across two learning streams. Kotahitanga, reflecting unity and collective learning, focused on bringing professionals together through shared knowledge and discussion. Manaakitanga, centred on care, respect and support for others, featured sessions aimed at enhancing patient care and professional wellbeing.
Auckland delegates heard from Dr Mitchell Imoda on emergency fracture management, Dr Sam Khan, VSA’s neurologist, on all things twitchy and shakey, Sarah Cruickshank on shockwave therapy, Dr Isobel MacEwan on abdominal ultrasound for acute vomiting, and Dr Tommy Fluen, whose session on diagnostic testing and screening proved particularly popular with attendees. The program also included presentations on diabetes management, critical care nutrition, perioperative antibiotics and the role of artificial intelligence in veterinary practice.
The Christchurch program addressed a range of clinical and professional subjects, including arthritis management, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), laryngeal paralysis, seizure management, anaesthetic recovery, handling emergency cases with confidence, physiotherapy for neurological patients, and the human factors influencing team performance.
Te Tihi has become a key event on the veterinary professional development calendar, providing practitioners and nurses with access to education while creating opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the sector.
Beyond Te Tihi, VSA continues to support veterinary professionals through a year-round program of continuing professional development opportunities. These include monthly webinars, as well as access to educational resources through the VSA Learning Hub, available via the VSA website. Together, these initiatives help veterinarians and veterinary nurses stay connected with the latest advances in veterinary medicine and patient care.
The 2026 conference was supported by ClinicWise, GapOnly, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, IDEXX, Kahuvet, Mölnlycke, Petcover, ProVet, Southern Cross Pet Insurance, Speirs Finance Healthcare, and Zoetis.
Sign up to the learning hub for year round CPD
We are committed to delivering high-quality continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities for veterinarians and veterinary nurses across our community.
We support ongoing learning through a diverse range of events, including annual conferences, regular webinars, and in-clinic education sessions designed to fit into busy professional schedules.