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.

We’re finalising the conference programme details right now. See the provisional planning below. Please email office@nzppi.co.nz to make sure you’re on our e-newsletter list for updates.

Day 1: Wednesday, 20 May

Choose from two field trips or our AI Masterclass

Greenlife Tour

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

Discuss the challenges and opportunities facing tree nurseries and landscapers.

Tour destinations:
1. Black Bridge Nurseries
2. Mace Landscape Group (tour & lunch)
3. Karaka Pavilion - Landscape industry forum

Bus departs from DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at 9am. Lunch included.

Plant Production Tour

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

See the latest innovation in indoor production and energy systems.

Tour destinations:
1. Rainbow Park Nurseries
2. NZ Gourmet & Zonda Beneficials
3. Solar Power site TBC

Bus departs from DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at 9am. Lunch included.

AI Masterclass

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.

Proudly sponsored by OptimySME

DoubleTree by Hilton room 2 - 9am to 2:30pm. Coffee and lunch break included.

Day 2: Thursday 21 May

Details TBC
Speaker TBC
Speaker to be confirmed.

Morning tea - Sponsored by HortBase

Details TBC
Speaker TBC
Speaker to be confirmed.

Lunch - Sponsorship available

1:30-3:00 Parallel breakout sessions

Visit one or all of the four stations in a self-directed session - or just take time to network, socialise and meet suppliers at our trade displays.

Station 1:
Business benchmarking
Horticulture Consultants Agfirst will run you through lessons & insights from NZPPI’s Extension Programme and benchmarking tools.

Station 2:
Pest Plant Lounge
Kick back and relax in our lounge area as Kathryn Hurr explains why pest plants and weeds are becoming an issue in the industry.

Station 3:
Plastic recycling
Hear about how NZPPI & Agrecovery are developing a recycling scheme for plant pots. Have your say in the design and development of this important scheme.

Station 4:
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.

16:30 ‘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 and having a ‘virtual’ bet on the horses as well! Bar opens at 5pm. Tickets for Awards Dinner only are available. Register now!

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.