The year 2018 marks 100 years since the 1918 influenza pandemic that caused devastating social and economic destruction worldwide. Despite substantial progress made with influenza research and strategies to control disease outbreaks, influenza continues to be a global public health problem.

This paper presents a synopsis of the 4th New Zealand Influenza Symposium hosted by the Immunisation Advisory Centre in February 2018. During this symposium, international and national experts and service providers convened to discuss strategies to mitigate the e ects of seasonal influenza and prepare for the next influenza pandemic.