Physiotherapy New Zealand - Otago Branch

01/09/2025

Join Us at SPS11 Workshops!

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best:
Dr. Gordon Spence
Prof. Trevor Russell

Registration deadline for the workshops above: 15 September 2025

SPS11 Registration Link: https://shorturl.at/28yib
Spots are limited - secure yours now!

Physiotherapy New Zealand

17/08/2025

SPS11 Workshop: The Complexity of Shoulder Instabilities
Presented by Dr Margie Olds, Prof. Gisela Sole & Prof. Stephanie Woodley

Exclusive workshop for Southern Physiotherapy Symposium ticket holders!
Limited spots – first come, first served.
Follow this link to register - https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4125
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Why attend?
Shoulder dislocations can have a recurrence rate of up to 80% with non-surgical treatment. Even post-surgery, 1 in 2 may experience another dislocation.
Fear of movement (kinesiophobia) is common—and it holds people back from returning to sport, work, and life.
This workshop will cover:
- Shoulder girdle anatomy revision
- Long-term psychosocial challenges of traumatic dislocations
- Assessment tools for kinesiophobia
- Innovative rehab strategies to support full recovery
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Add this expert-led workshop to your Symposium experience.
Gain practical tools to address both physical and psycho-cognitive rehab challenges.

Physiotherapy New Zealand

11/08/2025

Thank you Otago Southland Physiotherapy Trust!

The Southern Physiotherapy Symposium (SPS) has been held biannually since 2002 (apart from a one-year interruption due to COVID-19), with the 11th SPS (SPS11) taking place in Dunedin on the 31 Oct & 1st Nov 2025. A key focus of SPS is to blend contemporary, clinically relevant, evidence-based content with fun social activities and to bring distinguished international speakers to our southern backyard.

We are grateful once again to The Otago Southland Physiotherapy Trust (OSPT) for their generous sponsorship of the Southern Physiotherapy Symposium. The Trust was established in 1975 and was formed following a successful international conference held in the South Island.

To ensure viability, bake sales and other fundraising events also occurred. The finances were invested and became the OSPT. For the past 50 years, the Trust has benefited physiotherapists in Otago and Southland by funding visiting speakers, courses, conferences, and seminars.

The Otago Southland Physiotherapy Trust has provided sponsorship for SPS for many years, with this generous support once again enabling SPS to bring high-quality international speakers to our doorstep while offering low registration rates for Otago and Southland PNZ members.

Early bird pricing available until 29th August.
Register here - https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4125

PLUS why not join 1 of 3 post symposium workshops!

Dr Gordon Spence - Doing the headwork before doing the legwork: "The use of guided autobiography to build enduring motivation for sustainable active living." - https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4170

Prof. Trevor Russell - This workshop, led by Professor Trevor Russell will review technologies available for remote rehabilitation, as well as the growing body of evidence supporting telehealth - https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4168

Dr Margie Olds, Professor Gisela Sole and Professor Stephanie Woodley - "The complexity of shoulder instabilities". https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4171

04/08/2025

We’re excited to announce that the Southern Physiotherapy Symposium 2025 programme is now live!

📅 Check out the full programme here: https://shorturl.at/28yib

With an incredible line-up of speakers, interactive sessions, and valuable networking opportunities, it’s shaping up to be a must-attend event.

Don't miss out – have a look and start planning your day! 💬👥🧠

29/07/2025

SPS11 PROGRAMME AND SOCIAL NIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT

Event Programme is Here!

We’re excited to announce that the Southern Physiotherapy Symposium 2025 programme is now live!
You can view the full programme here - https://12218-console.memberconnex.com/Attachment?Action=Download&Attachment_id=4452
The event promises a fantastic line-up of speakers, interactive sessions, and valuable networking opportunities - it’s shaping up to be a great event!


Social Night Confirmed – Friday, 31 October

We’re thrilled to confirm our Social Night will be held at Tūhura Otago Museum, with exclusive access to the Science Centre and the stunning Tropical Forest Experience.
It’s the perfect way to unwind, explore, and connect with fellow attendees in a truly unique setting.

Registration link coming soon!
You’ll also be able to purchase a ticket for one additional guest, so feel free to bring someone along for the fun.

Theme: Bowties & Butterflies
Dress to impress - or have a little fun - with our whimsical theme.

More details coming soon... stay tuned!

21/07/2025

Attending the Southern Physiotherapy Symposium?
Why not level up your learning with one of three workshops - this one led by Professor Trevor Russell!

Explore Technology Enabled Rehabilitation through telehealth and virtual reality apps—proven to deliver:
- Positive patient outcomes
- High satisfaction
- Reduced fear of movement

This hands-on workshop dives into:
- Remote rehab technologies
- Evidence supporting telehealth
- Practical “how to” for assessing & managing musculoskeletal and neurological conditions
- Immersive VR rehab experiences

WHEN: Sunday 2nd November - 8:30am - 12pm
WHERE: School of Physiotherapy, Dunedin

REGISTER HERE: https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4168

Don’t miss this chance to experience the future of physiotherapy!
Note: This workshop is only available to those who register for the Southern Physiotherapy Symposium.

16/07/2025

Members! Ready to have your say in the future of PNZ? We are updating our founding document – the PNZ Rules – and need your help. Check your email and respond to the 2-minute survey so PNZ is member-focused for the future and be in to win a $200 Prezzy Card.

There’s also a webinar to answer any Rules questions you have on 23 July – register for the midday or 7.30pm session at https://pnz.org.nz/Story?Action=View&Story_id=5402

14/07/2025

Revolutionise Your Rehab Practice with Telehealth & VR

Technology is transforming how we deliver care, and you can be at the forefront. Join us at SPS11 for an interactive workshop on Technology Enabled Rehabilitation, led by keynote speaker Professor Trevor Russell. Dive into the latest in telehealth, virtual reality, and digital tools that are already delivering better outcomes for patients with knee pain, low back pain, and post-surgical rehab needs.

About the Keynote Speaker: Professor Trevor Russell is a globally recognised leader in physiotherapy and digital health. Based at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, he is Director of the RECOVER Injury Research Centre, Co-Director of the UQ Centre for Research in Telerehabilitation, and a pioneer in technology-enabled rehabilitation. His extensive work includes efficacy research, cost-benefit analysis, and the development of best practice frameworks for using digital tools in clinical care.

📍 Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the most respected voices in digital rehabilitation! 📅 31 October – 1 November Southern

Physiotherapy Symposium 2025 – Tuhura Otago Museum 🔗 Register now: https://shorturl.at/28yib

08/07/2025

Attending the Southern Physiotherapy Symposium?

Consider one of the three dynamic workshops on offer — including a thought-provoking session with Dr. Gordon Spence:
“Doing the Headwork Before the Legwork: The Use of Guided Autobiography to Build Enduring Motivation for Sustainable Active Living.”

While life review methods aren’t new, their use in health settings is often overlooked. This half-day workshop introduces Guided Autobiography (GAB) — a reflective approach that uses personal storytelling to unlock motivation for active living.

Participants will:
- Reflect on past physical activity experiences as a catalyst for change
- Work in pairs to explore aspirations, goals, and identity through narrative
- Learn simple tools to integrate GAB into existing consultation models, including health coaching

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the psychology behind sustainable behaviour change!

Register here - https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4170

**Please note - Workshop sessions are available as optional add-ons and require separate registration in addition to full attendance at the Southern Physiotherapy Symposium.

02/07/2025

Meet SPS11 Keynote Speaker Gordon Spence

Gordon is a coaching psychologist, exercise scientist, educator, researcher, and private practitioner with a passion for helping people perform at their best. After 10 years at Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong - where he served as Academic Program Director and Head of Students - he’s now back teaching at the Coaching Psychology Unit, University of Sydney.

With a PhD and Master’s in coaching psychology and a Bachelor’s in exercise & sports science, Gordon brings a wealth of expertise in peak performance, employee engagement, workplace wellbeing, and healthy ageing.

He’s also an accomplished author and editor, co-editing the Sage Handbook of Coaching (2017), previously co-editing Philosophy of Coaching: An International Journal, and writing two books on healthy ageing. Currently, he’s focused on innovative behaviour change strategies to help midlife adults bridge the gap between intention and action, promoting sustained active living.

Don’t miss the chance to hear Gordon speak! Register now for the Southern Physiotherapy Symposium and gain insights into coaching, wellbeing, and thriving at every age. 💪📚✨

👉 https://shorturl.at/28yib

30/06/2025

Come and join us for Southern Physiotherapy Symposium 2025!
Early bird ticket pricing now available!
Register via PNZ - https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4125

Send a message to learn more

05/06/2025

Registration link is live!
Come and join us for the Southern Physiotherapy Symposium in Dunedin!
Venue: Tuhura Otago Museum, 419 Great King Street, Dunedin.
Dates & Times:
Friday 31 October - Saturday 1 November - the Symposium
Sunday 2 November - Half-Day Post-Symposium Workshops
We’re honoured to welcome four distinguished keynote speakers who are global leaders in their fields:
• Dr Gordon Spence - The Paradox of Exercise: "How can we help build enduring motivation to move?"
• Dr Francois Desmeules - "Exercise specificity for the management of musculoskeletal conditions."
• Prof Jean-Sebastian Roy - "New care models for the management of musculoskeletal conditions"
• Prof Trevor Russell - The Digital Clinician: "Virtual Care, VR and AI in Physiotherapy Practice."

Register via PNZ here: https://pnz.org.nz/Event?Action=View&Event_id=4125