Massey celebrates a standout SESNZ 2025 Conference

Under the theme Homegrown Excellence, World-Class Results, the three-day conference showcased the depth and diversity of sport and exercise science across Aotearoa, highlighting Massey’s leadership in applied research and human performance.

Attendees included researchers, practitioners, industry partners and postgraduate students from across New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and several countries in Asia and Europe.

Chair of SESNZ and Head of School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Associate Professor Andy Foskett said the conference, which was supported by a partnership with Sport NZ and High Performance Sport NZ, allowed Massey staff, students and alumni to showcase their research and academic expertise alongside other invited speakers.

The opening keynote Sleep, Stress and the Science of Winning was delivered by Professor Leigh Signal, and Professor Kathryn Beck curated an interactive stream Sport Nutrition: Fuel, Culture, and the Modern Athlete.

“In an age of information overload, clear, evidence-based sports nutrition messaging is vital to counter misinformation among athletes and guide informed choices,” Professor Beck says.

“Conferences like SESNZ where so many influential academics, practitioners and organisations are present is an excellent forum for the dissemination of evidence-based best practice.”

Demonstrating Massey’s excellence as a Tiriti-led institution, College of Health Associate Dean Māori Associate Professor Bevan Erueti, Taranaki, Te Ati Haunui-ā-Papārangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa chaired a keynote session Whakapapa ki te Ao – From Aotearoa to global arenas: Elite athlete reflections of the intersections of te ao Māori and high-performance sport. In this session, Olympic medallist and Massey alumna Eliza McCartney and former National Rugby League Player, Principal Advisor Māori Apirana Pewhairangi, Ngāti Porou, shared their experiences and reflections of how te reo, tikanga and te ao Māori influence identity, performance and connection in sport. The discussion emphasised that sport is more than competition – it’s a space where tikanga and te reo can thrive, and where the role of cultural values in creating inclusive and empowering sporting environments honour who we are and where we come from.

The conference delivered a packed schedule spanning keynote lectures, panel discussions, research presentations, and industry engagement. Delegates explored topics ranging from performance analysis and occupational human performance to clinical exercise physiology and innovations in sport science research.

A key feature was the publication of all presented abstracts as conference proceedings in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Science (JSES), reinforcing SESNZ’s commitment to advancing evidence-based practice.

Taking a break from the formal proceedings, the delegates laced up their sneakers for the ASICS Fun Run, choosing between a two kilometre walk or a five kilometre run around the campus. The event added a light-hearted, community-focused element to the programme and made the most of the campus’ park-like surroundings.

The addition of the New Zealand Strength and Conditioning Association (NZSCA) and Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) Strength and Conditioning Practitioner Day on 18 November, facilitated by Richard Hollings and his team at the Recreation Centre, drew further interest from practitioners and performance specialists from around the country, cementing the Auckland campus as a hub for applied practice.

Massey alumna Livi Kitson-Clark delivered a session on how social pressures and misinformation shape athletes’ food choices. The conference reunited many Massey alumni now working across sport, health and human performance sectors, underscoring the ongoing impact of the university’s programmes.

Hosting SESNZ 2025 gave Massey the opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities in sport and exercise science — from cutting-edge research facilities to strong industry partnerships and an engaged student community.