International Symposium on Cosmology & Particle Astrophysics 2026 and 13th Australasian Conference on General Relativity & Gravitation

The conference will be held at the University of Canterbury (UC), located in the suburb of Ilam, approximately 5 km west of Christchurch city centre. Surrounded by scenic green spaces and close to local amenities, UC provides a safe and vibrant environment for delegates.  

The Rātā / Engineering Core Building, will host the daily conference proccedings. It is centrally located on campus, features modern teaching spaces, breakout areas, and technology-enabled facilities to support presentations, workshops, and networking.

Ilam Homstead will host the welcome reception. 

The University of Canterbury Campus Map 

Access & Transportation:

• From Christchurch Airport: Approximately 15 minutes by car, taxi, or ride-share.

• Guest Parking: Visitor parking is available on campus with clearly signposted designated areas.

• Public Transport: Bus stops are conveniently located near the main entrances, offering regular services to and from the city.

• Taxi & Ride Share: Easy access via main roads, with designated drop-off and pick-up zones near the Rātā Building.

UC’s accessible location and modern facilities make it an ideal venue for both local and international attendees.

Pauchy Award:

The inaugural Pauchy Award for Early Career Researchers will be presented at CosPA 2026 in Christchurch.  Applications for the award are invited from postdocs or graduate students in the Asia-Pacific regions in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, and particle physics. For further details of eligibility and the nomination procedure click here.

Applications are to be submitted to Ming-chung Chu, mcchu@cuhk.edu.hk, by 10 March 2026. The awardee will be invited to give a talk and receive the award at CosPA 2026.

Kerr Prize:

Since ACGRG 5 in Christchurch in 2009, the Kerr Prize has been awarded for the best student presentation(s) at every Australasian Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation. With ACGRG back in Christchurch in 2026, we hope that Canterbury Distinguished Professor Roy Kerr might present the Prize in person.

Past Kerr Prize recipients

Registration has not yet opened, when they do, registrations can be made here. 

Submission for abstracts have not yet opened.  Please check back here on 1 Nov 2025. 

New Zealand is well connected to the world, with direct flights from major cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and the west coast of the United States. Flights from nearby regions, including Australia and Pacific islands, are much shorter, typically around three hours.

Christchurch Airport serves as the main gateway to the South Island, providing easy access to both the city and the region’s spectacular natural attractions.

International flights: Christchurch International Airport is served by multiple international airlines, providing direct flights from over 10 countries worldwide. 

• Air New Zealand
• Jetstar AirwaysQantas Airways
• Emirates
• Singapore Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• China Southern Airlines
• United Airlines
• Fiji Airways

Weekly connections: Up to 115 flights per week link Christchurch with global destinations.

Auckland connections: Around 20 domestic flights (Air New Zealand and Jetstar) operate daily between Auckland and Christchurch, with a flight time of approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.

Getting to the city: The airport is just a 15-minute drive from the city centre, with regular taxis and public transport available.

Getting to University of Canterbury: Campus is approximately 6 km from the airport and 2 km from the city centre, accessible by taxi, rideshare, or local bus services.

Hotels:

Crowne Plaza Christchurch (Colombo St, CBD)

•  5–6 km from UC (Ilam) — 10–15 min drive.

  Typically NZ$120–$220 / night (higher for upgraded rooms and peak season). 

Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square

•  5–6 km from UC (Cathedral Square is in the CBD).- 10–20 min drive. (Good bus links).

• Typical JNZ$130–$240 / night  (higher for upgraded rooms and peak season). 

Ibis Christchurch (CBD)

• 5–6 km from UC; 10–20 min drive / 20–30 min public transport. 

• Typicaly NZ$90–$150 / night (higher for upgraded rooms and peak season). 

Fino Hotel & Suites (CBD)

•  5–6 km from UC. 10–20 min drive

• Typically NZ$120–$220 / night (suite/apartment style rooms tend toward upper end). 

BreakFree on Cashel (Cashel St, CBD)

• 6–7 km from UC . 15–25 min drive.. 25–30 min by bus. 

• Typical price NZ$90–$160 / night.

Hotel Give (central, former YMCA — socially sustainable hotel)

•  5–6 km (central Christchurch, near Botanical Gardens / Riverside Markets). 10–20 min drive to UC. 

• Typical price: NZ$80–$140 / night (budget/midmarket; charity model). 

   

Hostels & budget options:

LyLo Christchurch (airport area / formerly JUCY Snooze)

• 12–16 km from UC, 15–25 min drive depending on route/traffic. Bus Route close by. 

• Typical price NZ$40–$110 / night (capsule/hostel beds at lower end; private rooms higher).

Drifter Christchurch (96 Lichfield St, CBD)

• 5–6 km from UC; CBD location ~10–20 min drive / good bus link.

• Typical price: NZ$40–$120 / night (dorm beds and private rooms).

Haka House Christchurch (Hereford St / CBD)

•  5–6 km (central Christchurch). ~10–20 min drive / good bus links.
• Typical July price: ~NZ$35–$120 / night (backpacker / student-style accommodation; private rooms available).

Airbnb

• Riccarton and Ilam  have many Airbnb options, most within 3 km of UC (5 minute drive or 10-20 minue walk)  
• Typical July AirBnB / motels in Riccarton: ~NZ$80–$180 / night depending on size/location and whether it’s a whole house/apartment.

Other local options: 

• Fyffe on Riccarton Motor Lodge — friendly 3star motor lodge, 0.5–1.5 km from UC (walking distance for many), generally $90–$160/night. 

• Riccarton Motor Lodge / Riccarton Mall area motels — small motels clustered near Westfield Riccarton Mall. 1–3 km from UC, generally $80–$160/night depending on unit size. 

• Grand Riccarton Hotel / The Riccarton Hotel — larger hotel options near Riccarton Road/Westfield, 1–3 km from UC, generally $120–$200/night. 

• Bush Inn Court Motel (Upper Riccarton) — well-rated motel close to Riccarton shops, 2–3 km from UC, generally $90–$150/night.

• 298 Westside Motor Lodge / 306 Motel Apartments — practical, family-friendly motels right next to campus or a very short drive, 0.5–2 km from UC, generally $90–$160/night. 

• Ascot Vale Motor Lodge / Apollo Motel / Coachman Motel — reliable mid-range motels with easy parking, 1–3 km from UC, generally $80–$150/night. T

• Classique Lodge Motel / Golden Hotel — comfortable, well-reviewed local motels, 1–3 km from UC, generally $80–$160/night.

A welcome reception will be held at Ilam Homestead on Monday . Drinks and canapes are included.  Dress code is smart casual. 

A confernce dinner will be held on Thursday evening.  Venue to be confirmed. Drinks and meals provided. Dress code is smart casual. 

An excurison will be offered Wednesday afternoon, this will likely be a tour of Christchurch attractions or a nearby regional location.  

TBC 

A list of particpants wil be published here once registration opens. 

It is our policy of participants of CosPA2026 & ACGRG13 enjoy an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. We are committed to making this conference productive and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, nationality or religion.

This code of conduct applies to all participants of the conference.

We ask that you follow these guidelines:

• Behave professionally. Harassment and sexist, racist, or exclusionary comments or jokes are not appropriate. Harassment includes sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, sexual attention or innuendo, deliberate intimidation, stalking, and photography or recording of an individual without consent. It also includes offensive comments related to race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size or religion.

• All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. Sexual or sexist language and imagery is not appropriate.

• Be considerate and respectful to others. Do not insult or put down other attendees. Critique ideas rather than individuals.

Individuals engaging in behavior prohibited by this policy as well as those making allegations of harassment in bad faith will be subject to disciplinary action. Such actions range from a verbal warning to ejection from the meeting or activity in question and the reporting of their behavior to their employer.

• Jenni Adams *
• Scott Collier
• Chris Gordon
• Morag Hills
• Zachary Lane
• Pierre Mourier
• Ryan Ridden-Harper
• Jesse Satherley
• Chris Stevens*
• Shreyas Tiruvaskar
• David Wiltshire*

(*Also members of the Scientific Organising Committee)