WEBINAR: Crop Rotation for WireWorm Control
2025-12-11 02:00 - 03:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Christchurch
The cryptic behaviour of wireworm larvae, combined with their broad host range and the limited availability of effective insecticides, makes managing this pest particularly challenging. Potatoes are a key economic crop and severe wireworm damage can result in substantial financial losses or even complete crop failure. In response to the lack of viable control options, research was conducted to evaluate the use of rotation crops. The results showed a marked decrease in the number of heavily infested fields confirming the positive impact of the crop rotation strategy used. Detailed research findings will be presented and discussed.

Presenter: Dr. Christine Noronha is a research scientist (Entomology IPM) at the Charlottetown Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, PEI.

Dr. Noronha’s research has focused on developing pest management strategies for major pests on agricultural crops. She is the inventor of the NELT™, a solar powered trap for click beetles, developed an effective crop rotation strategy for wireworm suppression and the “Stem Crusher” for European corn borer control in potatoes.

Her leadership in developing innovative pest management strategies has had a significant impact on the agricultural sector. She is frequently sought out for consultations, expert advice, and presentations by growers, industry groups, and the scientific community in Canada and Europe. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Agrologist Recognition Award from the Prince Edward Island Institute of Agrologists in 2016 and was named one of the Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture in 2022. Dr. Noronha has published scientific papers, book chapters and fact sheets. She collaborates closely with the researchers, consultants and individual farmers from Canada, Europe and USA. The World Potato Congress Inc. is grateful to Dr. Noronha for taking this opportunity to be part of the World Potato Congress Inc. Webinar series.

WEBINAR: Potatoes New Zealand - 2025 Wrap Up
2025-12-11 11:00 - 11:45 | Christchurch
Join Potatoes New Zealand chief executive Kate Trufitt for a End-of-Year Wrap-Up WebinarAs we close out another productive year, Potatoes New Zealand CEO Kate Trufitt is hosting a special webinar to reflect on the milestones we’ve achieved together and share what’s ahead for the industry.

Why You Should AttendKate will share some key achievements from 2025 along with a forward-looking conversation about how we can continue to grow together.

This is a chance to hear firsthand what Potatoes New Zealand is working on and what are some of new opportunities coming in 2026.

You’ll gain valuable insights into upcoming campaigns, hear about innovations, and learn how Potatoes New Zealand is working to ensure potato growers’ voice drives the strategy. It’s also a great opportunity to celebrate the hard work that made this year a success. Your participation matters because everything we do starts with you.

Field Day - Potato IPM Trial
2026-01-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Christchurch
You are invited to visit an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) trial in a Canterbury process potato crop.

Join Potatoes New Zealand on Tuesday 20 January for a Potato IPM Trial Field Day.

Location: Acton Rd, Dorie >> | Coordinates: -43.864028, 172.131917

The trial, funded by the Canterbury Potato Liberibacter Initiative (CPLI), is testing a full IPM approach across a 10-hectare commercial site. Managed collaboratively by Bioeconomy Science Institute (Formed from a merger of AgResearch, Maanaki Whenua, Plant & Food Research and Scion in 2025), IPM Technologies, McCain Foods, the grower, and Seed & Field.

This is a great opportunity to see IPM in action and hear from experts in the field.

Paul Horne from IPM Technologies will be there to share insights, alongside the team from Plant & Food Research.

Drinks and nibbles will be provided.

Please RSVP for catering purposes

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Potatoes New Zealand Board Meeting
2026-02-19 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-23 08:00 - 17:00 | Christchurch
Potatoes New Zealand Board members are committed to developing and driving the potato industry in New Zealand. They regularly meet to progress the strategic direction for the membership and best practices throughout industry.

Organic grower policy catch-up
2026-02-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Christchurch
Organic growers are invited to a Horticulture New Zealand quarterly catch-up.

When | Thursday, 19 FebruaryTime | 12pmWhere | online via Zoom. Please register in advance here.

Topics will include the next round of Ministry for Primary Industries consultations on the Organic Standard Notices and other relevant policy updates, opportunities/challenges for organics are top of mind for growers.

WEBINAR: Seed Storage: Protecting Quality from Harvest to Planting
2026-02-21 07:00 - 08:00 | Christchurch
Join NAPSO and Spud Smart for a focused webinar on seed storage featuring Leroy Salazar (Salazar Farms), Amanda Wakasugi (San Acacio Seed, LLC), and Bill Crowder (Agro Engineering).​​​​​​​Learn critical factors during growing and harvest that affect storability, plus design and operational practices to maximize seed quality in storage. Speakers will cover how variety influences storage management, disease‑control strategies for seed storages, and practical steps—drying, conditioning, monitoring, and handling — to ensure seed remains viable and planting‑ready. Ideal for growers, storage operators, seed managers, and consultants seeking actionable storage solutions and a live Q&A with experienced professionals.

What You Will Learn In The Webinar

The critical factors you need to consider to ensure quality during the growing and harvesting of seed.

Design and operation considerations to maximize seed quality.

How do different varieties play into management of your storage.

What are some control options for minimizing disease in seed storages.

Ways to optimize the quality of the seed to ensure it is ready for planting.

WEBINAR: The Year Ahead: Insights and Direction from the CEO
2026-02-23 10:00 - 10:30 | Christchurch
Join Potatoes New Zealand Chief Executive Kate Trufitt for a Start-of-Year Update Webinar

As we step into a new year, Potatoes New Zealand CEO Kate Trufitt invites you to join a special webinar to set the scene for the year ahead. Kate will share reflections on Potatoes New Zealand work, outline key strategic priorities, and talk through the direction shaping the work and the wider industry in the months ahead.

Why you should attendKate will provide an update on the strategic focus for the year, highlight upcoming opportunities, and share how Potatoes New Zealand will continue to support growers and the sector. This is a chance to hear directly about what’s planned, what’s evolving, and how your voice helps guide our priorities.

You’ll gain insights into upcoming initiatives and campaigns, learn where effort and investment will be focused, and understand how Potatoes New Zealand is working to ensure growers remain at the heart of decision-making. It’s also an opportunity to reconnect at the start of the year, ask questions, and feel confident about the direction ahead — because everything Potatoes New Zealand does is for the growers.

Vegetable Research Roadshow - Dargaville
2026-02-24 16:30 - 21:00 | Northern Wairoa Boating Club Inc, Totara Street, Dargaville, New Zealand
The Vegetable Research Roadshow welcomes you to come hear the latest research results from the vegetable industry.

WorkSafe inspections overview and Q&A session
2026-03-04 08:30 - 09:30 | Christchurch
WorkSafe has recently completed 231 inspections across fruit and vegetable growing operations, with nearly half resulting in enforcement notices — a concerning outcome for the sector and highlighting clear areas of focus for WorkSafe.

An online session for growers will be held to provide a valuable opportunity to hear firsthand from the WorkSafe inspectorate about their findings. It will include an overview of inspection outcomes and a Q&A, giving growers direct access to ask questions from the WorkSafe Inspectorate. Questions can be submitted in advance to sarah.cameron@hortnz.co.nz or asked on the day.

Veg Big Day Out 2026
2026-03-05 09:00 - 20:00 | Plant and Food Research – Pukekohe, 49 Cronin Road, Pukekohe, Auckland, 2120, New Zealand
After a massively successful inaugural event in 2025, Veg Big Day Out is back for 2026!

Join us for a day filled with research updates, technology demonstrations, field walks, and networking with a wide range of vegetable industry stakeholders.

Veg Big Day Out 2026 will be a one-day event and tickets are limited, so register ASAP.

We look forward to seeing you again!

Workshop - Implementing Safety II in Horticulture: Evolving Risk Management and Cultural Competency
2026-03-12 08:30 - 16:30 | Christchurch
An interactive practical workshop for growers, packhouses, business owners, operation managers, HR managers and safety managers in horticulture organisations. This full-day workshop will be delivered by Safety II expert Moni Hogg.

When | Thursday, 12 March Time | 8.30am-4.30pm Where | Barge Showgrounds Events Centre, 474 Maunu Road, Whangarei Cost | free

Workshops are also being held in Levin (14 April) and Canterbury (21 April); more details to follow.

At the end of this workshop, you’ll be able to:

Understand the principals and evolution of Safety II

Recognise the support provided by regulatory bodies like WorkSafe and the Institute of Directors in driving Safety II

Introduce contemporary critical risk management methods in your organisation

Introduce a Safety II framework and reporting structure

Understand and apply cultural competency when working with RSE teams.

Places are limited. Don’t miss this opportunity to lift your team culture and safety practice.

Potatoes New Zealand's Birthday
2026-04-17 08:00 - 17:00 | Christchurch
Potatoes New Zealand became incorporated on 17 April 2012 (Incorporated Society Number 2559200),

Representing growers’ interests, Potatoes New Zealand is committed to listening to, enabling and promoting better outcomes for the New Zealand potato industry.

Vegetable Research Roadshow - Pukekohe
2026-04-21 15:30 - 21:00 | Pukekohe Golf Club, 654 Karaka Road, Karaka, Auckland, 2580, New Zealand

Vegetable Research Roadshow - Gisborne
2026-04-22 16:00 - 21:00 | Bushmere Arms, Waerengaahika, Gisborne, 4071, New Zealand
The Vegetable Research Roadshow welcomes you to come hear the latest research results from the vegetable industry.

Welcome to the Vegetable Research Roadshow – Gisborne! Join us at the Bushmere Arms on April 22, 2026, at 4pm an exciting event featuring innovative research on vegetables.

Vegetable Research Roadshow - Hawke's Bay
2026-04-23 16:00 - 21:00 | Havelock North Function Centre, 30 Te Mata Road, Havelock North, 4130, New Zealand

Vegetable Research Roadshow - Ashburton
2026-05-12 15:30 - 21:00 | Noble 600, 231 Burnett Street, Ashburton, Canterbury, 7700, New Zealand
The Vegetable Research Roadshow welcomew you to come hear the latest research results from the vegetable industry.

Vegetable Research Roadshow - Levin
2026-05-13 16:30 - 21:00 | Levin Cosmopolitan Club, 47/51 Oxford Street, Levin, Manawatu, New Zealand

Pukekohe Young Grower of the Year
2026-05-15 08:00 - 22:00 | LaValla, 131 Dominion Road, Tuakau, Auckland, 2121, New Zealand
The 2026 Pukekohe Young Grower of the year competition will be held on Friday, 15 May 2026.

The competition is open to both commercial fruit and vegetable growers from the Pukekohe region. Contestants will be tested on a range of theoretical and practical modules designed to test their horticultural skills and knowledge. The gala dinner will round off the day’s activities with speeches from each contestant and the announcement of the 2026 Pukekohe Young Grower of the Year winner.

The day competition will be followed by an Awards and Gala dinner being held at La Valla, Tuakau. – Mix & Mingle welcome drinks from 5:30 pm. Dinner programme from 7:00 pm.

NZPPI CONFERENCE
2026-05-21 08:00 - 17:00 | Karaka Pavilion, 10 Hinau Road, Karaka, Auckland, 2113, New Zealand
The NZ Plant Producers Conference and Awards Dinner 2026 will be held 20-21 May at Karaka Pavilion in Auckland, bringing together plant producers, retailers, suppliers, educators, researchers and more.

At our 2026 conference we’re celebrating NZPPI’s tenth anniversary. Don’t miss this unique celebration of our industry’s success and the collective effort behind it.

We have listened to our members and made this our largest and most exciting conference yet. The compact, fast-paced and fun two-day programme includes plenty of social events, field trips and networking opportunities.

At our industry ‘Night at the Races’ Awards Dinner at the premium Karaka Pavilion venue, we’ll be galloping through an unforgettable evening and having a bet on the horses as well.

This year we are including the Young Plant Producer of the Year competition and awards ceremony in the conference programme for first time – a special edition as the popular event marks 30 years of supporting up-and-coming talent.

E Tipu
2026-05-21 08:00 - 2026-05-22 17:00 | Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, 188 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch, 8011, New Zealand
Join this exciting journey toward a sustainable and resilient future for food and fibre production in New Zealand and beyond.

E Tipu is setting the stage for big conversations, bold ideas, and a community ready to shape what’s next.

E Tipu The New Zealand Future Food and Fibre Summit 2026 will be an opportunity to join a vibrant, immersive experience to help answer some of the most critical, sometimes uncomfortable questions about how we can grow together as a sector for the future.

E Tipu 2026 uses a bold new format to inspire and empower its delegates.

This is a summit not just about sharing ideas; it’s about igniting innovation and fostering a collaborative spirit that can drive the industry forward.

E Tipu will encourage connection, spark conversation, and convert critical thinking into action.

Organic grower policy catch-up
2026-05-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Christchurch
Organic growers are invited to a Horticulture New Zealand quarterly catch-up.

When | Thursday, 21 MayTime | 12pmWhere | online via Zoom. Please register in advance here.

Topics will include the next round of Ministry for Primary Industries consultations on the Organic Standard Notices and other relevant policy updates, opportunities/challenges for organics are top of mind for growers.

Vegetable Research Roadshow - Ohakune
2026-05-26 16:30 - 21:00 | Powderkeg, 194 Mangawhero Terrace, Ohakune 4625, Ohakune, 4625, New Zealand

International Day of Potato
2026-05-30 00:00 - 23:59 | Christchurch
In 2024, we celebrate the first International Day of Potato by focusing on the contribution of the potato to the lives of producers and consumers with the theme: Harvesting diversity, feeding hope. #InternationalDayOfPotato

The potato represents one of the most important contributions of the Andean region to the entire world, as it is one of the five main food crops consumed in the world, contributing to food security.

Hort Connections 2026
2026-06-01 08:00 - 2026-06-04 17:00 | Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
Hort Connections 2026 will be hosted between Mon 1st – Thu 4th June at the Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC). Hort Connections has grown to a 4,000-delegate event and welcomes almost three times the number of growers than it did at the time of conception. Hort Connections 2025 was hosted at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) and was the second largest conference ever produced. We are excited to expand on this in 2026 for a bigger and better conference than ever before.

All areas of horticulture will be recognised and celebrated at the conference, bringing together members from right across the vegetable, fruit and floral sectors. Hort Connections will yet again proudly showcase exciting new products, services and technologies to help shape the Australian and New Zealand industry – highlighting solutions in agricultural technology, finance, labour, energy and environmental sustainability.

Why you need to attend?

Professional Development: Hear from world-class experts on a range of topics including transformative research, global innovations, consumption trends and export development.

Networking: Interact with the largest cohort of industry stakeholders in the horticulture sector.

Recognition: Celebrate the outstanding achievements of the Horticulture Awards for Excellence 2026.

Trade Show: Grow your connections and supply contacts at the largest trade show in Australian and New Zealand horticulture, with exhibitors from more than 200 industry-leading companies showcasing the latest products and services.

Fieldays
2026-06-10 08:00 - 2026-06-13 17:00 | Mystery Creek, 125 Mystery Creek Rd, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
Fieldays is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest agricultural event and the ultimate launch platform for cutting edge technology and innovation.

SAVE THE DATE: Agronomy Summit 2026
2026-08-06 08:00 - 17:00 | Pukekohe Golf Club, 654 Karaka Road, Karaka, Auckland, 2580, New Zealand
Potatoes New Zealand is looking at putting together an Agronomy Summit on Thursday 6 August 2026.

Details are still being finalised, please save the date into your diary.

Organic grower policy catch-up
2026-08-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Christchurch
Organic growers are invited to a Horticulture New Zealand quarterly catch-up.

When | Thursday, 20 AugustTime | 12pmWhere | online via Zoom. Please register in advance here.

Topics will include the next round of Ministry for Primary Industries consultations on the Organic Standard Notices and other relevant policy updates, opportunities/challenges for organics are top of mind for growers.

Annual General Meeting 2026
2026-08-25 17:00 - 21:00 | Ashburton Events Centre, 211A Wills Street, Ashburton, Canterbury, 7700, New Zealand
Potatoes New Zealand is delighted to partner with the Horticulture Canterbury Growers Association to hold our respective Annual General Meetings (AGM) on Tuesday 25 August at the Ashburton Events Centre.

All growers are encouraged to attend to network with growers, board members and Potatoes New Zealand staff as well as have your say.

After the AGMs there will be a guest speaker and delicious dinner.

Draft Programme – Tuesday 25 August

Time Activity Location 5pm Horticulture Canterbury Growers Association AGMAshburton Events Centre211A Wills Street 5.30pm Potatoes New Zealand AGMAshburton Events Centre211A Wills Street 6.30pm Guest Speaker: Melissa MoonAshburton Events Centre211A Wills Street 7.30pm DinnerAshburton Events Centre211A Wills Street

Announcing Guest Speaker: Two time World Mountain Running champion Melissa Moon

A world champion mountain runner, humanitarian and Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Melissa Moon MNZM has turned extraordinary endurance feats into powerful lessons on resilience, service and the human spirit.Melissa is best known as a long-distance and mountain running star, having won two World Mountain Running Championships, 21 New Zealand athletic titles and becoming a two-time winner of the iconic race up New York’s Empire State Building, conquering 86 floors and 1,576 stairs in an astonishing 12 minutes and 39 seconds. She went on to win the Vertical World Circuit, a global series of races up many of the world’s tallest buildings, cementing her reputation as one of the world’s leading stair and mountain running athletes.In recognition of her contribution to sport and the community, Melissa was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2021 for services to athletics and charitable causes. This honour reflects not only her achievements on the track and in the mountains, but her commitment to using those achievements to make a difference in people’s lives.

Melissa’s running journey has always been intertwined with a deep sense of purpose. In 2007 she joined the Blue Planet Run, a 95-day relay around the world designed to raise awareness of the global lack of safe drinking water. As part of the team, she covered approximately 25,000 kilometres across 16 countries, wearing through five pairs of shoes as she ran through extremes ranging from 45-degree heat in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia to battling swarms of horse flies in Siberia. The experience pushed her to physical and emotional limits and gave her profound insight into burnout, recovery and what it truly means to endure.

Her outstanding performances and character have been recognised widely. Melissa has been named New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year, Athletics New Zealand Athlete of the Year, and New Zealand Universities Sportsperson of the Year, and has been inducted into the Wellington Sports Legends Hall of Fame. In 2008 she was honoured globally with the JCI Outstanding Young Person of the World award, recognising both her sporting achievements and her community service.Blending elite sport, endurance, motivational insight, inspiring stories, resilience, charity and philanthropy, and a deep focus on wellbeing and community, Melissa Moon’s story is a compelling reminder that true success is measured not just by medals and titles, but by the lives we touch along the way.

Register Now to Attend

Annual General Meeting 2026

Annual General Meeting

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