What is ALANZ?
Applied Linguistics in Aotearoa New Zealand (ALANZ) is an organisation for people with an interest in research into applied linguistics in the New Zealand and related contexts. We welcome as members active researchers, supervisors of research, student researchers and those who are interested in keeping up-to-date with research. Areas of research which are of interest to ALANZ members include foreign and second language education, Māori language, cross-cultural pragmatics, speech and language disorders, language planning, and community languages, and many others.
Activities
Journal
New Zealand Studies in Applied Linguistics is the journal of ALANZ. It is a peer-reviewed journal with two issues each year. Information about the journal can be found by clicking here.
Call for submissions NZSAL 2026.
Conferences
ALANZ holds an annual conference or symposium for the sharing of research, as well as occasional research seminars. In each even-numbered year, an ALANZ Symposium is held in New Zealand. It is generally a one-day event. In odd-numbered years, ALANZ joins with its Australian counterpart, the ALAA (the Applied Linguistics Association of Australia) and ALTAANZ (the Association for Language Testing and Assessment of Aotearoa New Zealand) to hold a larger international conference, the organisation and venue for which alternates between New Zealand and Australia. More information about past and future conferences and symposia can be found by clicking here.
News and Information
ALANZ provides regular information to members on matters of interest through email or other means according to members’ preferences.
We love to share news of what our members have been up to! If you have recently published research or have a news story to share, e.g. a project or a student who has recently completed their PhD, let us know (hilary_smith@xtra.co.nz) so we can share on our ALANZ social media sites. Photos are very welcome, and website links will be helpful.
Exec Profiles
Treasurer
Necia Stanford Billinghurst
New Editor of the New Zealand Studies in Applied Linguistics (NZSAL) journal
Nikhat Shameem is a writer, editor, educator and development specialist who has lived and worked in Fiji, Aotearoa/NZ, England, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, China, Laos and the Sudan. She has worked with five Pacific Island countries in education planning and delivery and on language policies in education. A graduate of the University of the South Pacific, she has a PhD in Applied Linguistics and a DipTESL from Victoria University of Wellington and an MBA in Leadership and Sustainability from the University of Cumbria in the UK. Her research and scholarly articles,mainly on language and education are available on ResearchGate and Academia. She is the author of a book of poetry called Let the Conch Speak and co-editor of a book of Fiji Hindi proverbs called Khatta Mittha Bàt (Bittersweet sayings). She has been editor and reviews editor for various professional and creative publications over her career. Fiji Hindi, a Girmit Hindustani, is her heritage language and her mother tongue. She is working on the development of a widely acceptable orthography for Fiji Hindi, a pre-literate language.
ALANZ Press Release 19 June 2023
ALANZ Background and Constitution
Applied Linguistics in Aotearoa New Zealand was formed in 1993 and held its first AGM on Friday 13th May, 1994. The ALANZ Constitution of the Association was endorsed at the first AGM. A copy of it is available by clicking here.
ALANZ Annual General Meeting
The association holds an AGM.
Executive Committee
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President: Hilary Smith, hilary_smith@xtra.co.nz |
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Secretary: Oliver Ballance, Te Henrenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, Oliver.Ballance@vuw.ac.nz |
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Treasurer: Necia Stanford Billinghurst necia.billinghurst@gmail.com |
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Membership Secretary: Karen Ashton, Massey University, K.Ashton@massey.ac.nz |
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Website Manager: Irina Elgort, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, irina.elgort@vuw.ac.nz |
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Social Media Manager: Grace Qi, Massey University, G.Qi@massey.ac.nz |
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NZSAL Editor: Nikhat Shameem, nikhat.shameem675@gmail.com |
Recent Past Presidents
Karen Ashton, 2020-2021
Cynthia White, 2017-2019
Lynn Grant, 2013-2017
John Macalister, 2009-2013
John Bitchener, 2005-2009