Other key industry leaders including Peter Silcock, CEO of Horticulture New Zealand, and Alan Pollard, CEO of Pipfruit New Zealand, as well as other business leaders from the industry will join the Minister.

Being election year, there will also be representation from most political parties with Winston Peters, Damien O’Connor and Steffan Browning of the Greens expected to attend.
 
As the National Horticultural Field Day is growing in recognition nationwide, it will be noticeably bigger this year. The BNZ Seminar Series plays an integral role in the event with the aim of generating discussion, celebrating innovation and information transfer.
 
The line-up of speakers for this year’s Seminar Series, which follows on from the Breakfast event at which the Minister will speak, features a mix of high level expertise across irrigation, practical nutrient management and commercialisation of research.
 
“We have a really strong line-up of speakers this year who will be discussing some very topical issues. The BNZ Seminar Series is a fantastic tool for information transfer and way to generate conversation amongst industry”, says Anna Hamilton Events Manager.
 
Speakers include Murray Gribben, CEO of Crown Irrigation and Graeme Hansen, Project Manager of the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme. They are followed by research led discussion from Dr Jason Wargent from Massey University who has turned his research on the benefits of UV light into a commercial venture.
 
Dr James Hanly will work alongside HBRC to deliver a comprehensive workshop on successful nutrient management; a very topical issue for Hawke’s Bay, going forward.
 
Pipfruit New Zealand will give an industry update and Horticulture New Zealand will have a strong presence from Peter Silcock, Chief Executive; Food Safety manager, Matt Dolan; Resource Management and Environment Manager, Chris Keenan, and Communications Manager, Leigh Catley, to discuss recent issues in the industry from Food Safety, Resource Management to Country of Origin Labelling.
 
The Field Day is said to be unique in its positioning for business-to-business interaction and in providing access to world class technology and research. With most exhibitors on site distributing complimentary tickets ahead of the event, it is rare for an event with this much value on offer, to be free to attend.
 
The National Horticultural Field Day takes place at Showgrounds Hawke’s Bay in Hastings on Thursday, 5 June.