Programme and speakers

20-21 MAY 2026 | KARAKA PAVILION, AUCKLAND

Experience New Zealand plant production up close with our dynamic programme

New Zealand’s plant production industry underpins the country’s highly diverse and dynamic greenlife and native planting markets and programmes, as well as $15 billion in horticulture, viticulture and forestry export trade. The NZ Plant Producers Conference & Awards Dinner showcases how some of the world’s best plant nurseries are tackling the opportunities and staying on top in this period of rapid change. See first-hand and up close how New Zealand’s professional nurseries are adopting technology, working across industry systems, and developing new skills and knowledge.

Two days of practical learning, industry connection and celebration: Join growers, retailers, suppliers, consultants and sector leaders as we celebrate 10 years of NZPPI and 100 years of our industry. Download the full conference programme (PDF).

Day 1: Wednesday, 20 May

8:15am
Conference Registration opens at Karaka Pavilion
Tea and Coffee refreshments available in the Garden Bar

8:45am
Board the bus for your selected field trip (Greenlife Tour or Plant Production Tour) departing from front entrance of Karaka Pavilion, or make your way to the AI Masterclass (hosted in the Phar Lap Room, Karaka Pavilion).

9:00am
Field trip buses depart, AI Masterclass begins
Lunch break and catering provided

Greenlife Tour

$0.00

Visit New Zealand’s leading landscape nurseries and landscape services businesses.

Discuss the challenges and opportunities facing tree nurseries and landscapers. Download the Greenlife Tour programme (PDF).

Tour destinations:
1. Black Bridge Nurseries
2. Mace Landscape Group (Lunch)
3. Karaka Pavilion - Landscape industry forum with Landscape Architect Alex Luiten

Plant Production Tour

$0.00

Visit growing operations at the cutting-edge of technology and sustainability.

See the latest innovation in indoor production and energy systems at NZ’s leading horticulture businesses. Download the Plant Production Tour programme (PDF).

Tour destinations:
1. Rainbow Park Nurseries
2. NZ Gourmet & Zonda Beneficials
3. Vegetable Centre of Excellence
4. Balle Bros

AI Masterclass

$0.00

Upskill in the latest AI technology applications and how they can add value to plant production.

Helen van Orton will take you and your team through a Masterclass session in AI. Download the masterclass programme (PDF).

Proudly sponsored by OptimySME

1:15pm
Young Plant Producer Competition begins, contestants meet in the Business Centre Karaka Pavilion

2:45pm
All delegates back onsite at Karaka Pavilion

3:00pm
Young Plant Producer of the Year Speeches begin, attendance encouraged. Networking and Trade Displays

4:30pm
Conference day programme complete

Young Plant Producer of the Year Speeches

Networking and Trade Displays

Evening event: Windross Farm Golf Course

Following the Day 1 field trips or AI Masterclass, join us for a relaxed social evening at the international Windross Farm Golf Course where we will celebrate 10 years of NZPPI and over 100 years of our industry.

5:30pm
Buses depart from the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel to Windross Farm

Day 2: Thursday 21 May

8:15am
Conference Registration opens at Karaka Pavilion
Tea and Coffee refreshments available in the Garden Bar

Speakers

Dr Deborah Shepherd

Abby France

Hon Tim Groser

This year we are celebrating NZPPI’s first 10 years. We’re looking back on how our industry has developed and advanced over the last decade - and look forward to the next decade.
We’re pleased to confirm Hon Tim Groser as our keynote speaker. Tim's deep understanding of geopolitics and world trade – including stints as NZ Chief Trade Negotiator, NZ Trade Minister, NZ Climate Change Minister and Ambassador to the United States – means his insights are in high demand.
In the past year our industry has seen fires, storms, floods, droughts, and more calamaties. Abby uses data and insights to explain how risk is changing and what producers can make decisions to manage risk.

10:30am - Morning tea - Sponsored by HortBase

Deb will share how SMEs can set themselves up to thrive in an uncertain future. Deb is an investor with Icehouse Ventures and Soul Capital. She has sat on the Small Business Council and is currently on several boards including New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and Forrest Estate Wines.
This year marks 30 years of Young Achiever & Plant Producer of the Year. This competition has been an incubator of talent in our industry. This panel includes past contestants that have developed successful businesses and careers.

12:30pm - Networking lunch - Sponsored by Harfords

1:15-3:00pm Parallel breakout sessions

Visit three of the four stations - rotate between stations every 30 minutes (1:30pm, 2:00pm, 2:30pm) in a self-directed session.

Station 1: Phar Lap room

Business benchmarking
Horticulture Consultants Agfirst share insights from NZPPI's Producer Extension Network and how to supercharge your business with benchmarking.

Station 2: Auditorium

Pest Plant Lounge
Join the lounge to hear what we're doing to tackle pest plants and weeds becoming a critical social issue in the industry.

Station 3: Tulloch room

Plastic recycling
Hear an important announcement about a new service for pots and trays from Agrecovery - NZ's only accredited recycling scheme for rural plastic.

Station 4: Main pavilion

National Gardening Week
Get in behind an ambitious plan to establish the Greenlife Alliance to take National Gardening Week to the next level in 2026.

3:00pm - Afternoon tea - Sponsored by HortBase

3:20pm - NZPPI in Focus

The NZPPI Board will present ideas for a reset of our industry organisation. Your chance to provide feedback on our future strategy

4:15pm –Conference day programme complete

‘Night at the Races’ Awards Dinner

Join us to celebrate outstanding industry contributions at the premium Karaka Pavilion venue. We’ll be galloping through an unforgettable evening of Industry Awards and having a ‘virtual’ bet on the horses as well! Tickets for Awards Dinner only are available. Register now!

5:30pm - Canapés and bubbles - Karaka Pavilion Garden Bar

6:30pm - Awards dinner commences

Enjoy celebrating your peers and have fun backing your favourite horse this evening.

Awards to acknowledge excellence within our industry:

Young Plant Producer of the Year Winner
Sustainability Award
Fraser Award
Industry Award
Life Member Award

11:00 - Awards evening concludes

Be a front runner!

Lead the pack by registering early! We look forward to seeing you at Karaka Pavilion on 20-21 May!

Thank you to our sponsors

The generous support of the companies and organisations below make the NZ Plant Producers Conference and Awards 2026 possible. Please take a moment to click on their logos and explore their products, services and offerings.