The 2023 RASNZ (Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand) Conference and Annual General Meeting were hosted by the Auckland Astronomical Society (AAS). This year marked the Centennial celebration for the event. The conference took place in Auckland from June 2nd to June 4th, 2023.

Key highlights included various presentations and workshops, such as a session on countering long-duration spaceflight bone-loss by Chris Benton and an analysis of chemically peculiar stars by Quin Aicken Davies, a UC Postgrad. Attendees also had the opportunity to present their latest research findings and ideas through poster presentations. Key elements of New Zealand's astronomical history were reviewed in a special workshop.

The conference also featured a unique opportunity for students with a passion for astronomy (SWAPA) to attend and solidify their interest in the field.

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The 2023 RASNZ Conference featured an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, each contributing unique insights and expertise to the field of astronomy and space science. Here's a brief overview of the keynote speakers:

1. Prof Chris Lintott: An astronomer and science communicator at the University of Oxford, Lintott is known for presenting "What's Up in the Night Sky" on BBC's "The Sky at Night" and co-founding the citizen science project, Galaxy Zoo. His research spans galaxy formation, extraterrestrial life, and astronomy history. He's an award-winning communicator, having received the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award and the Institute of Physics Kelvin Medal.

2. Associate Professor Charlie Lineweaver: A renowned astronomer at the Australian National University, Lineweaver's research focuses on the early universe, search for extraterrestrial life, dark matter, exoplanet habitability, and cosmology. He's a notable science communicator and has been awarded the Pawsey Medal and the Newcomb Cleveland Prize.

3. Nalayini Davies: Serving as the President of RASNZ and Chairperson of Astronz, Davies is a prominent figure in the New Zealand astronomy community. She has played a significant role in establishing Aotea/Great Barrier Island as an IDA International Dark Sky Sanctuary and is dedicated to promoting dark skies and preserving New Zealand's nighttime environment.

These speakers brought a wealth of knowledge and experience from academia, research institutions, and industry, providing engaging and informative presentations on a wide range of topics related to astronomy and space science. Their contributions undoubtedly added significant value to the conference, offering attendees an exciting and enlightening experience.