Speakers from the Ministry of Defence, Fiji and Facebook covered topics such as cyber security and race-related terrorism.
Prof Robert Patman, of the University of Otago, co-organised the event, aimed at building an academic response to changing threats and inspiring students to consider security-related careers.
A university report, released this week, confirmed it hoped to make it an annual event, as part of a new National Security School.
Prof Patman said one topic discussed was the potential affect of climate change on the Pacific Islands.
‘‘If a country is no longer fit for human habitation, those people have got to go somewhere.
‘‘It could cause real problems if we have to absorb people rapidly because some will have to move to New Zealand.’’
Almost 70 people took part in the day, including about 20 students.
