We’re excited to announce the 2025 Romance Writers of New Zealand conference, 15-17 August, 2025. 

We’d like to invite you to attend ‘Heart of a Story’ where passion meets the page– our 2025 conference.

Every great story begins with a heartbeat—the pulse of an idea, the rhythm of emotions, and the soul of a storyteller who dares to bring words to life. At the RWNZ 2025 conference, we celebrate the Heart of a Story, exploring the raw passion, deep connections and powerful themes that make stories unforgettable.

We have a line-up of USA Today Best Selling authors, award-winning novelists and writing coaches to teach you over the weekend.

Whether you’re crafting your first novel, refining your craft, or seeking inspiration, this conference is where storytellers gather to uncover what truly moves readers. Through dynamic workshops, insightful panels, and networking opportunities with your tribe, you’ll dive into the core elements that breathe life into storytelling—characters that resonate, conflicts that ignite, and narratives that linger long after the final page.

Join us as we uncover the heart of every story—the part that beats, that matters, and that stays with readers forever.

Registration opens April, 2025. If you want to take advantage of our member rates, please feel free to join RWNZ – we have many other member benefits, including contests, chapter meetings, a monthly newsletter, and a friendly support network.

Ticket Types and Pricing

* Close—Any registration after this date is at RWNZ’s discretion. 

** Awards Dinner attendance is by purchased ticket only.  Please make sure you indicate your attendance for the Dinner.  You may also wish to buy an additional ticket for your partner.

*** The Friday night welcome drinks – ‘Back to the 90s’ – is included in your conference ticket. You can purchase an additional welcome drinks ticket for a partner.

Please ensure that if you wish to attend the awards dinner, you select it as a product before you go ADD TO CART. Our ‘tba’ welcome drinks are included in your conference ticket, but please tick the box if you plan to attend so we have an idea of numbers. (there is one product that is free and one product that adds a cocktail attending payment – if you need one for a partner).

You can update your registration details in My Account area whenever you like.

Online Registration Tickets/Tax Invoice

Retain all Tickets and Ticket/Tax Invoices sent to you following Registration and bring them to the conference. The ticket/s is proof of purchase for Heart of a Story. and associated events, and must be presented at the time of registration.

Programme changes – In the unlikely event our programme changes at late notice due to unforeseen circumstances, the changes will be communicated to attendees via the RWNZ website and (where applicable) email

Registration – Any person participating in or attending any RWNZ-sponsored conference event must be registered. Individuals who violate this condition will be invoiced for the full non-member event fee plus a 50% penalty. An exception to this policy being member attendance at the RWNZ Annual General Meeting.

Event refunds and cancellations policy

RWNZ Cancellation

Cancellation by RWNZ of ticketed conference events such as the Conference Dinner, Cocktail Party, Core Conference (Saturday/Sunday) or Friday Full Day Workshop will result in registered Attendees receiving a full refund.

Attendee Cancellation

If you cancel on an Early Bird ticket you get a 100% refund up until Early Bird payment deadline of 4th July.

You’ll get a 100% refund if cancellation is received between 4th July and 23rd July, less a $50 administration fee.

50% refund is applicable if your cancellation is received after 23rd July and up to 7 days prior to the event.

No refund if cancellation is received within 7 days of the event (except at the discretion of the Executive).

Attendee Refund Requests

Attendees may request a refund due to hardship or other mitigating circumstances. Written requests must be sent to the Conference Registrar. Any refund decision will be at the discretion of RWNZ Management.

Transfer or on-selling of tickets

Fully purchased tickets may only be on-sold or transferred in consultation with and on agreement by the Conference Registrar, and may incur a $50 administration fee.

Processing Refunds

Refunds will be by direct bank deposit and may take up to eight weeks to process.

Register Now!

If you are a RWNZ MEMBER please remember to log in before registering for conference to ensure you get the membership rates.

The main speakers are listed here.

You can choose your workshops on the day of conference.

Read the RWNZ Conference Code of Conduct here: Conference Code of Conduct RWNZ

Accommodation Details

* Discounted vouchers available at check-in

Format

A three-day conference of keynotes, workshops, panels, roundtables, and more. Our “For the Love of Character” awards dinner will be held at the Naumi hotel on Saturday night and Friday night we can travel ‘Back to the 90s’ at a cocktail party to kick off your evening.

Be prepared for delicious food, inspiring teaching and the buzz of spending a weekend with a team of romance writers who are passionate about storytelling.

Our Sponsors

RWNZ would like to thank our sponsor.