RACS AoNZ ASM – Founders Centenary

Date: Thursday 11 February, 2027 - Saturday 13 February, 2027 Location: Dunedin

Convened in the city where the first RACS Council meeting was held in February 1927.

The programme includes:
MIHI Cultural Competency Workshop
Facilitated by tRACS AoNZ ASM he Māori/Indigenous Health Innovation (MIHI) department at Otago University, we will be offering a half day workshop on 11 February. This will go towards satisfying CAPE requirements.

Louis Barnett Prize
2027 will be 65 years since this prestigious prize was established to commemorate Sir Louis Barnett; a founder of RACS and the first surgeon from Aotearoa New Zealand to become president of the College. To commemorate the past winners and Sir Barnett’s role in the creation of RACS, the 2027 finalist presentations will take place in the Barnett Theatre on 11 February. Abstract submissions for this prize are open to Trainees and Fellows within the first five years of their Fellowship and will be opening in August 2026.

Aotearoa New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting
Held at the Dunedin Centre, 12-13 February, the 1½ day programme will explore our theme Evolution Through Necessity and will be a chance to not only look back but also look forward to the next 100 years of surgery. Topics will include:
• History of Surgery and the College
• Evolution of Surgery in War
• Unmet Need
• Coping with Uncertainty
• Future of Training & Selection
• Surgical Innovation

Centenary Dinner and Cèilidh
A highlight of the programme, we will be celebrating 100 years of RACS with a Cèilidh at our Centenary Dinner. This will be held on the evening of 12 February at Larnach Castle and we will be joined by the Dunedin Ceilidh Orchestra.