Iwi eyes hort for progress
A post settlement treaty organisation in Wairoa is banking on horticulture to boost employment and income for its people.
She says the summit, to be held this year in Christchurch from May 20-22, will bring together leading thinkers, innovators, and doers to share practical insights on technology adoption, market trends, sustainability, and resilience.
With the theme of "trending into the future," the conference will be particularly relevnat to where we are today, said Hatton.
"It's a valuable opportunity to gain fresh ideas you can apply directly to your farm business, connect with people driving change across the industry, and understand how global shifts are shaping the future of New Zealand agriculture.
"E Tipu is designed to help farmers make better decisions, plan with confidence, and identify opportunities for long-term success."
Run annually by several different organisations since 2019, E Tipu was licensed to FoodHQ about 18 months ago and ran for the first time under the FoodHQ banner last year.
Hatton said FoodHQ changed it to be "more of a futures conversation", looking 10 to 15 years ahead into consumer demand and science trends.
"And therefore, from a farmer perspective, what might we be growing on farm? What diversified crop systems might be needed from a 'nature positive' perspective for sustainability credentials, et cetera."
Hatton said that of a number of farmers who attended last year's event in Palmerston North, some were uncomfortable that they had never before been part of the "future thinking" conversations that they were introduced to.
But others went away "absolutely inspired to implement some of the tools that we've given them into their business," she said.
Part of E Tipu's strength was that the whole value chain was represented - everybody from farm to plane.
Speaker Line-Up
With well over 30 speakers and more yet to be confirmed, E Tipu will hear from the likes of Fenton Innovation CEO Craig Fenton, an entrepreneur who has developed an AI tool tailored for decision-making in the food and fibre sectors; Californian futurist Jack Bobo who has raised concerns that not enough investment in going into the world's projected food needs by 2050; and Tim Deane, CEO of Norsewear on why he has invested in New Zealand.
Farming industry leaders slated to speak include Beef+Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland, Fonterra director Alison Watters, Horticulture NZ CEO Kate Scott, and a number of working farm business owners.
The event will be divided into four broad sessions - the evolving preferences of the modern consumer; what businesses need in the "engine room" to accelerate growth; how "visionary design" can get ahead of the trends; and a final session on how to face disruption rather than shy away from it.
"We really want to get people through E Tipu into this concept of thinking that the future is coming. We don't know what it will bring, but if we're not ready for it, it will be a surprise," says FoodHQ chief executive Dr Victoria Hatton.
"So if we can provide tools and techniques for people who adopt and employ, once they get back to their own business or their own situation, we feel that we've done a good job."
