ALANZ and ALAA are the applied linguistics associations of New Zealand and Australia, respectively. Our first combined conference was held in Auckland in 2009. The idea was to provide an opportunity for applied linguists in New Zealand and Australia to come together, share ideas, and have a good time. Attendees left that first conference invigorated and looking forward to a repeat, which occurred in Canberra in 2011. After that second successful conference, it is now New Zealand’s turn to host the event again.