PROGRAMME
DAY 1 - WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2026
* Momentum 2026 programme subject to change.
| 7.30am | Registration opens | |
| 8.30am | Official Event Opening Mihi Whakatau, MC Welcome and Keynote Speaker | Toni Street and David Downs |
| 9.30am | Session 1: Future Trends In this keynote presentation, Kia Hallaji (Futurist) will be bringing to life some of the key global trends that are going to shape our future and the implications for Zespri, industry and our markets. The global trends presentation will be followed by a panel discussion, led by Kia, on these trends with key partners from across our value chain. | Kia Hallaji - Head of Futures, Synthesis |
| 10.35am | Morning Tea Exhibition & catering area | |
| 11.00am | Session 2: CEO Address Ambition & 2035 Strategy exploration | Jason Te Brake - CEO, Zespri |
| 12.00pm | Session 3: Future of Health, Nutrition & the Role of Brand Future trends on health & nutrition for consumers | Jonathan Hall - Managing Partner, Sustainable Transformation Practice, Kantar |
| 1.00pm | Lunch Exhibition & catering area | |
| 2.00pm | Session 4: Future-Fit Food Production: NASA's plans to make the impossible Possible Carlos Garcia-Galan is Deputy Manager for NASA’s Gateway Program, a cornerstone of the Artemis campaign that will enable sustainable lunar exploration to perform ground breaking science, develop and test technologies on the moon that will be needed for a human mission to Mars, and inspire the world in the process. The Artemis program will set the basis for the first trip of humans to Mars in the not-so-distant future, establishing the first human base in another planet, more than forty million miles away from our home planet Earth. NASA’s approach to achieving its missions involves mindsets that overcome uncertainty and foster innovation: Carlos will take us on his journey to and with NASA, explaining what drives and motivates him and the mind set of making the impossible possible. | Carlos Garcia-Galan - Gateway Program Deputy Manager, NASA |
| 3.10pm | Afternoon Tea Exhibition & catering area | |
| 3.35pm | Session 5: Launch of Refreshed Brand Platform – “Grown For More” Unveiling of Zespri's new brand platform to launch in 2026 | Kok Hwee Ng - Chief Marketing Officer, Zespri |
| 4.25pm | Day 1 closing remarks | Toni Street and David Downs |
| 6.30pm | Fresh Carriers Hayward Medal Dinner * Pre-dinner drinks in the exhibition area * Awarding of the Fresh Carriers Hayward Medal * Discussion with Dame Lisa Carrington * Entertainment | MC - Trudi Nelson |
DAY 2 - THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2026
| 8.00am | Registration opens | |
| 09.00am | Day 2 Welcome MC opening remarks and reflections from Day 1 Energiser session | Toni Street and David Downs |
| 9.35am | Session 1: Powering Change: Unlocking a Low-Emissions & Resilient Future Hear about Zespri’s updated climate change transition plan and join a panel discussion on the complex challenge of reducing shipping emissions, featuring insights from across the supply chain and market on how partnership can drive meaningful change. Panel discussion facilitated by Carolyn Mortland, Executive Officer Sustainability – Zespri Panelists: Bo Wegner, Chief Executive Officer, APAC – CMA CGM Dr Paul Bennett, Co-Founder, Biowave Blair Culph, Global Supply Chain Development Manager, Zespri | Carolyn Mortland -Executive Officer Sustainability, Zespri |
| 10.45am | Morning Tea Exhibition & catering area | |
| 11.15am | Session 2: Workshops Round 1 | |
| Workshop 1: Decode Natural Nutrition: Through Consumers' Eyes How are post-pandemic health trends reshaping consumer food choices? And how can we turn these insights into shared success? Global shifts have transformed what consumers seek from food: beyond great taste, they’ve moved past generic wellness goals to prioritize targeted benefits—think cognitive health, Digestive health, immunity, and skin nourishment—embracing proactive, daily health maintenance like never before. At this Consumer Demand Space workshop, discover how Zespri’s consumer-centric strategy leverages these evolving demand spaces. See how Zespri Kiwifruit, with its inherent nutritional value, has emerged as a cornerstone of proactive, health-focused living. Gain firsthand insights into how Zespri identifies trends, responds with precision, and delivers solutions that truly resonate with market needs. | Wendy Luo - Market Research Manager - Greater China Brendon Smith -Innovation Manager, Future Cultivars | |
| Workshop 2: Global Supply - Where and how we will grow Food security, sustainability, and technological innovation are reshaping the global agricultural landscape. As a leader in the international kiwifruit industry, we recognise that competitors are advancing through new breeding techniques and precision growing systems. The critical question for us is: what strategic opportunities are we pursuing to ensure we remain at the forefront of global kiwifruit production? | Tom MacMorran -Commercial Trials Manager, Zespri Greg Clark - Head of Future Innovation, Zespri | |
| Workshop 3: Packaging - More than "just a box" A workshop for the curious. Learn how sophisticated eye tracking is used to evaluate the ability of packaging to attract time poor shoppers. Hear about how the future of packaging will evolve and see the world's first linerless kiwifruit transport pack designs. With hundreds of millions of dollars spent on Zespri packaging each year its importance in both creating value with the shopper and protecting the value of the fruit has never been higher. The Zespri Packaging Team and guest speakers will demonstrate how Packaging is much more than "just a box". | Ben Hughes – Global Packaging Lead, Zespri Other presenters: Lou Sherman, Nicole Reekie, Shari Webber, Walter van Pareen, Amber Roestenburg | |
| Workshop 4: Gene Editing Recently, the European Union approved a landmark deal that changes how gene-edited crops are regulated. Many plants developed using New Genomic Techniques —methods that enhance and accelerate what naturally occurs through traditional breeding—will now be treated much like conventionally bred crops. This means they are exempt from strict GMO rules for market approval and may have simpler labelling, while more complex edits remain under tighter oversight. It’s a major shift from previous regulations. This opens the door for faster commercialisation of innovative crops that promise better yields, improved pest resistance, and greater climate resilience. At the same time New Zealand is considering changing its own legislation. So, I invite you to consider: Is this a risk, or an opportunity for us? What are the key opportunities and the key concerns? How will it shape the future of our kiwifruit industry and the competitive landscape? | ||
| Workshop 5: Cultivating Change: Climate Opportunities Join this interactive session to explore how we might harness opportunities through our response to climate change. Through a facilitated session, participants will help shape possibilities for Zespri and Industry action on climate opportunities. | ||
| 12.30pm | Lunch Exhibition & catering area | |
| 1.30pm | Session 3: Workshops Round 2 Repeat of above workshops - choose a different one to attend | |
| 2.45pm | Afternoon Tea Exhibition & catering area | |
| 3.15pm | Session 5: Wrap – Bringing it all together. MC moderated panel discussion | Jason Te Brake, Kok Hwee Ng, Tim Mackle & Carl Cooper |
| 4.15pm | Closing Remarks | Jason Te Brake - CEO, Zespri |