Horticulture New Zealand conference to be staged in Wellington next month

The annual New Zealand Horticulture Conferences will take place in Wellington on 26–27 August.

The two-day event at the Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre will bring together growers, industry leaders, policymakers and service providers from across the horticulture sector.

This year’s programme will include the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Conference, offering content for employers and businesses involved in the scheme.

“The Horticulture Conference will provide valuable insights on the issues that matter most to growers such as innovation and sustainability to workforce development and succession,” says HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott.

A key focus of the event will be the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan, the sector’s roadmap for a more sustainable, resilient and productive future.

The speaker line-up includes James Kilty, CEO of Transpower, Sara Meymand from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Andrew Gilman from Zespri, economist Shamubeel Eaqub, Con Williams from Craigmore Sustainables and Philip Pryor, a succession specialist.

A number of Government Ministers will speak at the conference:

·         Nicola Grigg, Associate Minister of Agriculture (Horticulture)

·         Andrew Hoggard, Associate Minister of Agriculture

·         Nicola Willis, Minister of Finance and Economic Growth

·         Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Trade and Investment

·         Erica Stanford, Minister of Immigration.

The event will also feature the Horticulture Industry Awards, celebrating individuals and teams who have made outstanding contributions to the sector.

To find out more about the conference programme and to purchase tickets click here.