INTRODUCING THE NDF25 THEME:
PAORANGI \ IMPACT

The 2025 National Digital Forum (NDF) Conference is calling for inspiring and thought-provoking submissions that explore the IMPACT of your work, your organisation, your community, or your sector. 

Whether you’ve presented at NDF before or are new to the community, we welcome diverse voices and fresh perspectives addressing both the positive and negative possibilities relating to digital technologies.

Our conference themes are designed to challenge, inspire, and encourage collaboration across Aotearoa’s cultural landscape. As part of the theme of IMPACT, we’re interested to see proposals about:

INNOVATION AND GROWTH

How are emerging technologies and creative approaches transforming cultural organisations, driving new ways of engaging audiences, and shaping sustainable growth strategies?

• What have you done to create more interactive and immersive exhibitions or learning experiences?

• How have you experimented with AI in managing and presenting collections, streamlining operations, and enhancing audience engagement?

• How have you built your own or your team’s capability to confidently embrace digital innovations and technologies?

• How have you employed sustainable digital practices to reduce your environmental footprint?

• How have you grown an experimental mindset and become comfortable with failure?

EVALUATION AND ADVOCACY

How are cultural organisations measuring their impact, advancing diversity and inclusion, and promoting social and environmental responsibility?

• How have you used data and analytics to better understand your communities’ needs and tailored your processes and programmes accordingly?

• How has your organisation developed an approach to research and evaluation that works for your particular audience?

• How have you made your digital products and experiences more welcoming, accessible, and inclusive?

• How has the rise of generative AI presented new reporting and evaluation challenges for your organisation?

CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY

How are cultural organisations harnessing the power of digital tools and storytelling to build meaningful relationships, foster collaboration, bridge cultural gaps, and enhance engagement and learning? 

• How have you used digital technology to better preserve and share indigenous knowledge and heritage in partnership with local communities?

• How have you collaborated with partners and other industries to deliver innovative projects to benefit the community?

• How are you protecting data sovereignty through your work with your communities?

• How have you used digital technology to enhance visitor and user experiences, both in-person and online?

If you have an idea that doesn't quite fit under these topics, but you believe it would be valuable for the conference, please submit it. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR PROSPOSAL

Have a think on the conference theme, rally any co-presenters, and get together the following information on your proposal:

• Title of your idea

• Speaker names and bios (under 100 words each)

• A written summary of your idea (under 200 words)

  • OR a video submission, up to two minutes long. NDF25 is a conference not a book! We’d prefer to see and hear from you.

• Any relevant links about your project

• Your proposed presentation format

• The conference theme(s) your format fits

Then share it with us via the submission form!

PRESENTATION FORMATS

We invite submissions for various formats, including presentations, wānanga, panel discussions, interactive workshops, lightning talks, and more. We’re particularly interested in innovative formats that encourage participation, dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. Don’t hold back!

The classic NDF formats are:

• Plenary - Main Stage - 30 minutes

• Streamed Session - 20 minutes

• Lightning Talk - 8 minutes

• Workshop - half-day (held Wed 8 May)

• Workshop - full-day (held Wed 8 May)

PRESENTER REGISTRATION

If your idea is selected to be part of the programme you and any other speakers who are part of your session are expected to register and pay to attend the conference.  The deadline for presenter registrations is 31 January 2025. We will provide you with a specific presenter registration form to complete.

SCHOLARSHIPS

NDF is offering a scholarship program to provide financial support for registration and some associated travel. We encourage speakers who may not otherwise be able to attend NDF to apply.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Tuesday 15 October: Submissions open

• Sunday 24 November, 11:59pm NZT: Submissions close

• Mid December: Accepted presenters notified via email

• Jan 31, 2025: Presentation registration due

• Jan 31, 2025: Confirmed presentation title, abstract, and presenter photos due

• May 5-6, 2025: NDF25 Conference

• May 7, 2025: NDF Workshops

GOT QUESTIONS?

Contact us at admin@ndf.org.nz. We’ll do our best to respond as soon as possible.