ABOUT THE EVENT
What is NZ Model UN?
New Zealand Model United Nations (NZMUN) is UN Youth New Zealand’s biggest and most prestigious event. Taking place from the 2nd through 5th of July 2026, the NZMUN marks the duration of the conference. NZMUN is a simulation where students step into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to engage in intellectual conversations, diplomatic debates, gain insights from guest speakers and overall, have an inspiring experience. Delegates at any skill level are warmly welcomed and are encouraged to attend our immersive learning experience. Through this high class facility, it is guaranteed that each delegate will achieve valuable knowledge and develop strong leadership skills while connecting with like minded people along their journey.
Hosted at Victoria University in the heart of Wellington, NZMUN offers secondary school students the chance to experience life as a diplomat. Between engaging problem-solving workshops, to simulated committee sessions, students will be given a platform to discuss important topics relevant to global affairs. In the process of debate, students will learn more about the world and their place in it as a global citizen. Furthermore, as a cohort of 300 like-minded individuals, students can band together, build friendships, and tackle the world, one problem at a time.
Delegates will emerge from NZMUN more equipped to make a difference in their communities, and more empowered to influence the decision-making which affects them. NZMUN is an experience like no other, overflowing with benefits and opportunities for those who partake. With a mix of education, excitement, and fun, NZMUN is an unmissable opportunity for students looking to challenge themselves, expand their perspectives, and take part in an unforgettable experience.
The theme for 2026 is UN+Charted, which embodies diving into never before explored territories in international relations in terms of the UN Youth educational topics. Delegates will get the opportunity to have insightful discussions on topics like maritime infrastructure, cross-border water access, and outer space militarisation which will make them more knowledgeable and give them confidence to engage in civics, to believe in themselves and recognise that they can make a difference in the world. NZMUN 2026 moves in with the goal to foster intellectual and interpersonal growth for every delegate, enhancing their critical thinking, empowerment, and collaboration skills. If you are looking for personal development and expanding your global knowledge onto uncharted waters, NZMUN 2026 is the event for you!
What is UN Youth?
UN Youth is a non-profit organisation led by youth for the youth which provides civic education outside of the classroom. Through fun workshops and conferences, we engage youth in the most pressing affairs of their country and the international community. Our goal is to inspire young New Zealanders to be active, global citizens. Global citizenship exists in an incredibly diverse range of forms, and UN Youth provides opportunities for delegates to develop their own form of active citizenship. Throughout Aotearoa, our work equips young people to become informed, engaged, and critical New Zealanders who understand their global context and the connections between the local and the global. Annually, over 3000 young New Zealanders from Northland to Southland attend a UN Youth event, run by a body of 150 volunteers across the country who dedicate many hours of their time engaging young people and growing the organisation.
What happens at the conference?
Committee Sessions
Each delegate will experience three committee sessions throughout the conference. These sessions are designed to encourage debate, critical thinking, and negotiation skills between delegates.
The committees for NZMUN 2026 are:
DISEC: Disarmament and International Security Committee
UNEP: United Nations Environment Programme
UNSC: United Nations Security Council
WTO: World Trade Organisation
IMO: International Maritime Organisation
ICJ: International Court of Justice
SPECPOL: Special Political and Decolonisation
IAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency
UN General Assembly
Workshops
Workshops feature engaging scenarios and formats which give delegates a chance to showcase and learn communication, creative thinking, and persuasive speaking skills. Separate from committee sessions, workshops do not require the delegates to be representing their countries while in them, but are rather a means of engaging delegates on an interactive level. Previous workshops have included Interactive
Problem Solving (IPS) scenarios, ethics workshops, and negotiation based workshops.
Social events
Apart from the educational content, there are also many social aspects to NZMUN. Chiefly, the Opening Ceremony, Regional Group Dinners, and of course, the Gala – a highly anticipated cocktail-style evening event for delegates to dance and network at the end of what is sure to have been an invigorating conference!
Delegate registrations are set to open on the 12th of April 2026 and will close on the 10th of May 2026. If you have any questions about delegate registrations, please contact [email protected]
Press Corps
The Press Corps Programme is a vital part of NZMUN, shaping the conference’s narrative and providing delegates with a unique perspective on global affairs through the lens of media and journalism. Each year, NZMUN continues to develop and refine this programme, allowing students to explore how the press influences international discourse and public perception.
As Press Delegates, students will step into the role of journalists representing major media outlets such as CNN, NZ Herald, or Al Jazeera. They will report on committee sessions, interview delegates, and distribute information, ensuring that key developments within the conference are captured and communicated. Through this, they will engage with the power of media in shaping narratives, influencing opinions, and analyzing bias in reporting.
Beyond simply observing, Press Delegates play an active role in NZMUN by crafting the stories that define the conference experience. With guidance from trained Press Delegate Facilitators, they will refine their writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills while producing articles for a daily conference newsletter.
This programme offers an invaluable opportunity for students to develop their journalistic abilities while providing delegates with a deeper understanding of how the media frames global events. Whether covering diplomatic breakthroughs, controversial debates, or unexpected twists, Press Delegates ensure that NZMUN’s story is told with clarity, insight, and impact.
Accessibility
UN Youth New Zealand aims to make our conference accessible to all participants and volunteers. If you have accessibility needs or if there is any way that we can make NZMUN more comfortable for you, we will do our very best to accommodate. Please let us know how we can help you!
Costs
The cost of attending the conference is $310. This will cover expenses such as NZMUN merchandise, conference venue, meals during the day, transportation and the Gala. You will be sent an invoice once you have been accepted to the conference unless you receive a scholarship.
Please note this fee does not cover your accommodation in or transport to Wellington, or meals outside of the conference times.
Scholarship Information
A number of scholarships are offered for delegates who require one to attend the conference. You can apply for these while filling out your registration form. We offer two types of scholarships; Committee scholarships and Embassy scholarships. Recipients of embassy scholarships may be offered the opportunity to visit the respective embassy. Each scholarship covers the registration fee for the conference.
If you have any questions, please contact Aarushi at [email protected]
ABOUT UN YOUTH
UN Youth is a non-profit organisation that provides civics education outside the traditional classroom context. Through fun workshops and conferences, we engage youth in the most pressing affairs of their country and the international community. Our goal is to inspire young New Zealanders to be active, global citizens. Global citizenship exists in an incredibly diverse range of forms, and UN Youth provides opportunities for delegates to develop their own form of active citizenship. Throughout Aotearoa, our work equips young people to become informed, engaged, and critical New Zealanders who understand their global context and the connections between the local and the global. Annually, over 3000 young New Zealanders from Northland to Southland attend a UN Youth event, run by a body of over 150 volunteers across the country who dedicate many hours of their time to engaging young people and growing the organisation.