On the eve of the 5th Auckland Triennial, Natalie King conducted a candid, public conversation with acclaimed biennial curator, Hou Hanru at Asialink, University of Melbourne. Prior to installing the Auckland Triennial, Hou visited Melbourne for the first time to reflect on his biennial trajectory while illuminating a precise and sensitive approach to curating in Auckland and the cultural specificity of New Zealand. Hou provided insights into exhibition modalities that interact with artists, audiences, cities and communities to envisage possible futures. Like a laboratory, Hou is preoccupied with open and evolving exhibition platforms and the social agenda of locality and place.