AVA President Dr Alistair Webb attends NZVA Conference

_{Image (L-R): AVA President Dr Alistair Webb, New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) President Dr Kate Hill and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association President Dr Chris Bell celebrate the NZVA’s Centenary Birthday.} 

Last week, AVA President Dr Alistair Webb represented the AVA at the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) Conference in Wellington. The conference was held at Tākina, on Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour). This year was particularly special as they celebrated the NZVA’s Centenary Birthday. 

The conference featured twelve streams targeted at both veterinarians and veterinary nurses, as well as workshops and a packed social program. More than 1000 delegates – both vets and nurses – attended. 

Dr Webb commented on the “collegiate and welcoming atmosphere” and was struck by how similarly the AVA’s goals and challenges align with those of international veterinary organisations.  

“It is remarkable how the vet professions of New Zealand and Canada (also present at the NZVA conference) share so many of our concerns: workforce shortage challenges, the need to progress One Health and One Welfare issues, an increased emphasis of the wellbeing of the profession, the environmental sustainability of veterinary practice, and the challenges faced by the ongoing emergence of Artificial Intelligence,” said Dr Webb. 

Some of these topics were discussed at three Plenary sessions: ‘A snapshot of the profession: reflections on their lives as veterinarians’, ‘Current issues exercising the profession’, and ‘The changing landscape of veterinary education in New Zealand.’