Please note: Due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to make the difficult decision to postpone this event until early 2023. We apologise for any disappointment caused, and we hope to see you in the new year.
Capitalising on Business & Investment Opportunities in the Primary Sector
The primary sector (food and fibre) is responsible for around $50 billion in exports from New Zealand. Opportunities abound in land, technology, and life sciences. Hear more about:
The role of the primary sector in New Zealand’s economy and culture
Seeing the lesser-known opportunities, and overcoming the knowledge barriers to entry into the primary sector
Challenges and opportunities in the agri-sector
The increasing importance of agri-tech and its ability to solve key problems
The risks of sector polarisation and the benefits of working together
Fostering a cohesive and sustainable New Zealand landscape and story
Campbell Stewart Tompkins Wake Partner | Workshop Chair
Advising clients on all aspects of property law, Campbell has particular expertise in the overseas investment regime, Crown minerals, and the emissions trading scheme, and assists domestic and international clients in these areas.
Campbell is a property and real estate expert, with a specialist focus on agribusiness, trust structuring and local government property.
Campbell provides commercial and not-for-profit entities with structure, regulatory and governance advice, and works with Tompkins Wake's private clients, specialising in succession planning, asset protection and trusts.
Julia Jones Head of Insight at NZX
Never really living in the moment but always being excited about the future is what drives Julia Jones. Change is inevitable and she works hard to help others have confidence in navigating an uncertain future.
Her time consulting with KPMG fuelled her passion for understanding global trends and their impact on NZ’s prosperity. Her role now as the Head of Insight with NZX allows her to continue this work including the future of sustainable finance.
Julia has had a series of highlights over her career which include completing the Harvard Agri Seminar in China, winning the emerging leader scholarship to attend Stanford University, graduating the AWDT Escalator Program, a short stint working in Russia and being appointed to the primary sector council. The reality is however her lowlights which are not typically included in bio’s have delivered some of the most impactful opportunities for growth.
Brendan O’Connell Chief Executive of AgriTechNZ
Brendan is Chief Executive of AgriTechNZ, which is a membership organisation connecting innovators, investors, agri-businesses, regulators, researchers and practitioners across the agritech industry. It promotes opportunities and challenges addressed by agritech (technologies used to improve primary sector outcomes) in and from New Zealand.
Initially trained as a mechanical design engineer, Brendan has been involved in technical, commercial and leadership aspects of product innovation at a senior executive level for several international businesses. He has amassed experience across a range of industries including: agricultural technology (Tru-Test Group), consumer electronics (Navman), telecommunications (Nokia) and bio-medical (BioMedical Research).
Over the last 16 years of work in the agritech sector, Brendan has developed a strong affinity with the primary sector: its people and its purpose. He is particularly interested in the role of technology in creating new growth from old systems.
Laurie Margrain Professional Director, Chairman, Open Country Dairy
Professional Company Director having been in CEO roles from 1987 until 2007 and Chairman/Director appointed positions since then. A long list of appointments in Manufacturing, Exporting, Financial Services and Transport including such brands as Masport, Skellerup, Open Country Dairy, Criterion and Transaction Services Ltd. A past Director of some dozen different companies and currently a Director and/or Chairman of eight Company Boards plus their associated subsidiaries.
A past Chairman of Employers and Manufacturers (Northern) and Business New Zealand. A life Member of the former. Past Chairman of North Harbour Rugby and Board member of The Blues Super Rugby for many years over two separate stints.
First a CEO with Masport Australia at the age of 35 with a strong and lasting focus on growing people as the way to add value, develop sustainable competitive advantage in business and ensure cultures and “chemistry” that allows businesses to grow. As an investment philosophy it is vital to accept that when you invest you are backing people, if that part of the decision is not right then almost certainly the investment is destined to struggle. It is a “people game”.