Potatoes New Zealand

E Tipu
2026-05-21 08:00 - 2026-05-22 17:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | 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.

Vegetable Research Roadshow - Ohakune
2026-05-26 16:30 - 21:00 | Powderkeg, 194 Mangawhero Terrace, Ohakune 4625, Ohakune, 4625, New Zealand
The Vegetable Research Roadshow welcomes you to come hear the latest research results from the vegetable industry.

LandWISE Conference
2026-05-27 09:00 - 17:00 | Havelock North Function Centre, 30 Te Mata Road, Havelock North, 4130, New Zealand
Theme: “Soil Health for Profit”

LandWISE arose out of work to combat soil erosion through use of minimum tillage and they are returning to strip-till in 2026.

A lot has been learned in the intervening years! Along with that, they will look at what can be done to measure and manage crop nutrition and soil health to ensure sustainability and long-term profitability.

The Changing World of Potatoes
2026-05-29 20:00 - 22:00
A webinar exploring how the potato sector is evolving across markets, production, sustainability, innovation and new scientific developments.

Webinar agenda

Welcome and IntroductionsIan Toth, Director of the National Potato Innovation Centre at The James Hutton Institute.

Speaker sessions (15 minutes each)

GB potato industry update 2025-26 – Alex Godfrey (GB Potatoes)

An Upturned World Potato Market – Cedric Porter (World Potato Markets)

Outcomes from the PCN Action Scotland project – Kerry Leslie (SRUC)

Precision breeding in potato – Sasha Eremina (The Sainsbury Laboratory)

Beyond Yield: Soil Health and Nutrient Density in Potatoes – Rob Ward (Vitagri)

Novel uses for potato: Solanesol and protein – Gordon McDougall (James Hutton Institute)

International Day of Potato
2026-05-30 00:00 - 23:59, 2027-05-30 00:00 - 23:59, 2028-05-30 00:00 - 23:59
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.

WEBINAR: Two Bills. Nine Questions. One Test: Will They Actually Help Farmers and Growers?
2026-06-11 17:30 - 18:00
This is an Open Discussion on the two Bills (Environmental Protection Agency – Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill and Ministry of Primary Industries Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Bill).

Note: This is an opinion piece and not necessarily the views of Potatoes New Zealand

Speaker

Fenton Hazelwood is an executive with grower and farm supplies merchant WestAg, with 30 years’ experience in the food and fibre sector.

Primary Industries New Zealand Summit and Awards
2026-06-23 08:00 - 2026-06-24 17:00 | Cordis Auckland, 83 Symonds Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
The Primary Industries New Zealand Summit and Awards continues to bring together the very best leaders from across the spectrum of New Zealand farming and primary sector business. This year the Summit will focus on understanding and seizing the opportunities of the future, with the event providing high level insights, analysis and debate around the key themes that will decide how effectively we meet the future challenges for the sector.

Canterbury Young Grower of the Year
2026-06-25 09:00 - 21:00 | Lincoln University, Springs Road/Ellesmere Junction Road, Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand
The competition is open to both commercial fruit and vegetable growers. Contestants will be tested on a range of theoretical and practical modules designed to test their horticultural skills and knowledge. A dinner will round off the day’s activities with speeches and the announcement of the 2026 Canterbury Young Grower of the Year winner.

Competition Day – Lincoln University, Sunken Lawn

9am – Briefing

9.30am – Modules kick off

12.25 – 1.25pm – Lunch

2.25pm – Modules finish

Awards Evening – Lincoln University, Mrs O’s Cafe

5.30pm – Arrival Drinks

6pm – Seated for welcome

6.15pm – Speech competition

7pm- Dinner

8pm – Awards Presentation

9pm – Dessert

Rural Wellbeing Expo
2026-06-27 11:00 - 15:00 | Pukekohe Indian Association Events Centre, 57 Ward Street, Pukekohe, 2120, New Zealand
The Rural Wellbeing Expo 2026 is a free community event dedicated to supporting the health, wellbeing, and resilience of New Zealand’s rural communities. Delivered in partnership with Asian Family Services, this event brings together growers, families, workers, and residents in Pukekohe to access trusted health services, practical advice, and culturally inclusive support — all in one place.

Whether you are part of the horticulture sector or simply living in a rural area, the Expo is designed to make wellbeing services more accessible, break down language and cultural barriers, and ensure everyone knows where to go for help.

What to Expect at the Expo

Free health checks and wellbeing advice

Access to trusted rural support services

Mental health and counselling support

Information tailored for growers and horticulture workers

Multilingual support and culturally inclusive services

Community connection in a welcoming, family-friendly environment

Why Attend?

Rural communities often face unique challenges when accessing healthcare and support services. The Rural Wellbeing Expo is designed to bridge these gaps by bringing essential services directly to the community.

This event focuses on:

Improving awareness of available support services

Breaking down language and cultural barriers

Encouraging early help-seeking

Vegetable Industry Showcase
2026-06-30 17:30 - 19:30 | Parliament Buildings, Molesworth Street, Wellington, New Zealand
Feeding the future: Advancing New Zealand’s vegetable producers

This year’s event will shine a spotlight on the incredible role our growers play in nourishing the nation. From boosting the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders to driving economic strength, the vegetable sector is a powerhouse worth acknowledging.

It’s also a rare chance to connect face‑to‑face with growers from across the country, Members of Parliament, government officials, and leaders from the wider horticulture community.

Note: Invitation Only

Potatoes New Zealand Board Meeting
2026-07-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-24 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-11-19 08:00 - 17:00
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.

New Zealand Horticulture Conference
2026-07-27 08:00 - 2026-07-28 22:00 | Takina – Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, 50 Cable Street, Wellington, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand
This July, the New Zealand Horticulture Conference brings the sector’together in Wellington for two days of insight, connection and practical thinking.

Hear from industry leaders, explore the issues shaping ourfuture, and build your own agenda across three streams: strategic, technical and people-focused.

Whether you’re looking to deepen knowledge, strengthen networks or gain fresh perspective, this is where the industry moves forward together.

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 at the Pukekohe Golf Club.

The Potatoes New Zealand Agronomy Summit brings together growers, researchers, advisors, and industry partners to share practical knowledge, emerging research, and on-farm insights that support profitable, sustainable potato production.

The Agronomy Summit is designed to foster open discussion, encourage innovation, and strengthen connections across the sector, providing attendees with timely, relevant information they can apply in their paddocks and businesses.

Through collaboration and shared expertise, the Agronomy Summit helps ensure the future success and resilience of New Zealand’s potato industry.

DJI Agras T70P Introduction Demo Day
2026-08-12 09:30 - 15:20 | Tui Park Ridge, 260 Anderson Road, Hamurana, Bay of Plenty, 3072, New Zealand
xperience the DJI Agras T70P: Live Demo Day

Whether you’re a farmer, grower, contractor, or looking to get started with agricultural drones, this is your opportunity to experience the new DJI Agras T70P in action.

Join the Ferntech team for a free demo day and discover how agricultural drones are helping transform farming operations across New Zealand. Through expert presentations, live flight demonstrations, and practical sessions, you’ll gain a better understanding of the DJI Agras T70P and how it can improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, and access areas that are difficult for traditional machinery.

Throughout the day, you’ll learn about:

The features and capabilities of the DJI Agras T70P

Manual and automated spraying operations

Mapping your land and creating automated missions with DJI Terra

Spot spraying and broadacre spraying applications

The T70P’s heavy payload lifting capabilities

New Zealand drone regulations and licensing requirements

Practical advice from Ferntech’s agricultural drone specialists

Morning tea and lunch will be provided, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, network with other attendees, and experience the DJI Agras T70P in action.

Organic grower policy catch-up
2026-08-20 12:00 - 13:00
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 17:30 - 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 and Process Vegetables NZ 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.

Register Now to Attend

Annual General Meeting 2026 Registration

Will you attend the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 25 August?

Yes, I will attend

No, I will not attend

Contact Details

Name
*

First

Last Name
*

Last

Company
*

Phone
*

Email
*

Any dietary requirements?

Please confirm any dietary requirements

Captcha

Register

If you are human, leave this field blank.

Draft Programme – Tuesday 25 August

Time

Activity

Location

5.30pm

Horticulture Canterbury Growers Association AGM

Ashburton Events Centre211A Wills Street

5.45pm

Process Vegetables NZ AGM

Ashburton Events Centre211A Wills Street

6.00pm

Potatoes New Zealand AGM

Ashburton Events Centre211A Wills Street

6.30pm

Guest Speaker:Melissa Moon

Ashburton Events Centre211A Wills Street

7.30pm

Dinner

Ashburton 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 Registration

Will you attend the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 25 August?

Yes, I will attend

No, I will not attend

Contact Details

Name
*

First

Last Name
*

Last

Company
*

Phone
*

Email
*

Any dietary requirements?

Please confirm any dietary requirements

Captcha

Register

If you are human, leave this field blank.

DJI Agras T70P Introduction Demo Day
2026-08-26 09:30 - 15:20 | Living Springs Camp & Conference Centre, 218 Bamfords Road, Allandale, Canterbury, New Zealand
Experience the DJI Agras T70P: Live Demo Day

Whether you’re a farmer, grower, contractor, or looking to get started with agricultural drones, this is your opportunity to experience the new DJI Agras T70P in action.

Join the Ferntech team for a free demo day and discover how agricultural drones are helping transform farming operations across New Zealand. Through expert presentations, live flight demonstrations, and practical sessions, you’ll gain a better understanding of the DJI Agras T70P and how it can improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, and access areas that are difficult for traditional machinery.

Throughout the day, you’ll learn about:

The features and capabilities of the DJI Agras T70P

Manual and automated spraying operations

Mapping your land and creating automated missions with DJI Terra

Spot spraying and broadacre spraying applications

The T70P’s heavy payload lifting capabilities

New Zealand drone regulations and licensing requirements

Practical advice from Ferntech’s agricultural drone specialists

Morning tea and lunch will be provided, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, network with other attendees, and experience the DJI Agras T70P in action.

Register Your Interest: Grower Trip to Europe 2026
2026-09-01 08:00 - 2026-09-12 17:00
An unforgettable, industry focused European experience is taking shape and you’re invited.Potatoes New Zealand is planning an exclusive Europe Grower Trip in September 2026, bringing together a group of industry participants for a unique learning and networking opportunity.

This carefully curated tour will immerse participants in global best practice, cutting-edgetechnology, and future-focused research, culminating in attendance at Potato Europe — one of the world’s most influential potato industry events.

What to Expect

Visits to leading seed companies and progressive European growers

Behind-the-scenes access to state-of-the-art storage, processing, and packing facilities

Exposure to innovation and research shaping the future of potato production

Opportunities to build valuable international connections

Attendance at Potato Europe, where global leaders showcase the next era of the industry

Indicative Itinerary

DATELOCATION/ACTIVITYTuesday 1 SeptemberDepart New Zealand2-8 SeptemberAmsterdam – Arrival and Industry visitsEmmeloord – Seed, research and innovation hubGermany – Grower, storage, processing and packing visits9-10 SeptemberGermany – Potato EuropeSaturday 12 SeptemberReturn to New Zealand

Estimated Investment*

$6,600 per person – Twin Share

$8,500 per person – Single

*Indicative pricing only. Final costs will be confirmed once interest is assessed and bookings are secured.

Why Attend?

Gain insights you can apply directly to your business

Stay ahead of emerging global trends

Learn from the best in the world

Be part of a high-value, industry-focused experience

Register Your Interest

Register your interest before 31 January to be considered for this exceptional European Grower Trip and help shape the final itinerary.

With limited spaces available, please register your interest today.

Spring Summit 2026: Research Update
2026-09-17 09:00 - 16:00 | Te Ahikawariki / Vegetable Industry Centre of Excellence, 49 Cronin Road, Pukekohe, Auckland, 2676, New Zealand
Join growers, researchers and industry leaders to explore the latest vegetable research, trial results and innovations.

Attend the Te Ahikawariki Spring Summit 2026, a one-day event bringing together growers, researchers, agronomists, industry organisations, technology providers and sector leaders to share the latest developments in New Zealand vegetable research and innovation.

Building on the conversations and demonstrations showcased at the 2026 Vegetables Big Day Out, the Spring Summit provides an opportunity to revisit projects at completion and hear the results, learnings and practical outcomes emerging from trial work. Alongside these updates, the programme will feature a broader range of research and development activities being undertaken across the vegetable industry.

Attendees will hear directly from project teams, researchers and industry partners as they present findings from trials, demonstration projects and innovation programmes. The day will combine indoor presentations with outdoor demonstrations, providing both technical insights and practical examples of research in action.

Topics will cover a range of areas relevant to commercial vegetable production, including crop management, sustainability initiatives, productivity improvements, biosecurity challenges and future research opportunities.

The Spring Summit is designed to encourage discussion, knowledge sharing and collaboration across the industry. Whether you are looking to stay informed about current research, explore new ideas for your business, or connect with others working across the sector, this event offers a valuable opportunity to engage with the people and projects helping shape the future of New Zealand vegetable production.

Who should attend?

Vegetable growers and farm managers

Researchers and research organisations

Agronomists and technical advisers

Industry suppliers and service providers

Students and emerging industry professionals

Government, extension and industry representatives

What to expect

Networking over lunch and afternoon tea

Research presentations and project updates

Results from trials and demonstrations

Outdoor field demonstrations

Opportunities to connect with researchers and industry leaders

World Potato Congress
2026-10-26 08:00 - 2026-10-30 17:00 | Sawela Lodges, The Mirage Tower 3, Sixth Floor Chiromo, Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Kenya
The World Potato Congress brings together the global potato community every two years. Kenya 2026 will focus on sustainable agriculture, innovation, and building partnerships for a food-secure future.

Sustainability Focus

Exploring sustainable potato farming practices and climate-resilient solutions for global food security.

Global Network

Connect with 1000+ delegates from over 60 countries, including farmers, researchers, and industry leaders.

Innovation Showcase

Discover cutting-edge technologies and breakthrough research in potato cultivation and processing

Market Insights

Gain valuable insights into global potato markets, trade opportunities, and emerging trends.

Why Potatoes Matter?

Potatoes are the third most important food crop for human consumption after rice and wheat, feeding over a billion people globally. As we face climate challenges and food security concerns, potato research and innovation have never been more critical.

Sustainable farming practices and climate resilience

Nutritional enhancement and food security

Advanced breeding and biotechnology

Global market trends and economic impact

Who Attends?

Farmers & Producer Groups

Seed Companies & Input Suppliers

Processors, Retailers & Exporters

Scientists, Researchers & Breeders

Government & Development Agencies

Investors & Tech Innovators

Organic grower policy catch-up
2026-11-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Organic growers are invited to a Horticulture New Zealand quarterly catch-up.

When | Thursday, 19 NovemberTime | 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.

Potatoes New Zealand's Birthday
2027-04-17 08:00 - 17:00, 2028-04-17 08:00 - 17:00
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.

SAVE THE DATE - Potatoes Conference 2027
2027-08-17 08:00 - 2027-08-18 17:00 | One New Zealand Stadium, 218 Madras Street, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011, New Zealand
In a rapidly evolving world, the potato industry continues to adapt, innovate, and thrive. Join us as we discuss the opportunities, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of New Zealand potatoes.

Save the date now and stay tuned for more details on the programme, speakers, and registration.

Potatoes Conference 2027 – Embracing Change
