"HortNZ’s conference provides a huge opportunity to highlight the importance of our industry to New Zealand, but best of all, it allows a valuable opportunity to unite grower support behind the organization that
works for us."
2012 Conference
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Principal sponsor
Speakers
Geoff Hipkins
Chief Executive Officer Turners & Growers Ltd
Geoff Hipkins graduated with an Master of Arts (Hons) from the University of Canterbury and joined the Secretariat at the Department of Trade and Industry before taking on marketing roles for some of New Zealand's primary products exporters including Manager of UK Retail Marketing for Waitaki International Limited, Marketing Manager for Sealord Products Limited and General Manager Marketing and Processing for Forestry Corporation of New Zealand.
Geoff ushered in the era of professional rugby as Chief Executive of Auckland Rugby Football Union Inc. He led the restructuring Murrumbidgee Irrigation Limited as Chief Executive and returned to New Zealand as Chief Executive and General Manager Seafood for Ngai Tahu Seafood Limited. From 2008 until December 2011, Geoff was Chief Executive of the Oceania Group, which operates lifestyle care in Australia and
New Zealand.
John Palmer
Chairman of Rabobank & Air New Zealand
John is a full time company director with more than 20 years experience, operating largely in the agribusiness and finance sectors. His background is from a full-time, hands on farming role, having started farming on his own account at 21. This led to a number of industry roles including chairmanship of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Marketing Board and its successful recovery from bankruptcy to the formation of Zespri International.
John is chairman of Air New Zealand Ltd, Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd and Rabobank NZ Ltd. In Australia, he is a director of AMP Ltd, AMP Life Ltd and Rabobank Australia Ltd. He is a former chairman of Wrightson Ltd, and a former director of Trust Bank
NZ Ltd.
His family businesses continue to be in intensive horticulture.
