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. Panel discussion facilitated by Kia Hallaji, Head of Futures, Synthesis Panellists: Mark Kennedy - Managing Partner, Kantar Mau Wah Liu - Company Founder and Honorary Chairman, Joy Wing Mao Hamish Simson - CEO, EastPack Leighton Oats - Orchardist Andrea Vandergrift - Vice President – Produce, Costco | 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. This keynote presentation bridges the macro level future with the lived reality of today. Jonathan brings the audience down to the human level, showing how global health and nutrition trends are already affecting people’s daily lives and that nutrition has become the most immediate and powerful lever consumers use to manage their wellbeing. Jonathan will expose the emerging crisis of “hidden hunger,” where people are simultaneously overfed and undernourished, driven by declining dietary diversity, climate impacted food quality, and the rise of ultra‑processed diets. Jonathan explains how systemic issues only become meaningful to people when they touch “me and my world,” setting up why brands must step into a more purposeful role. By demonstrating how authentic, lived purpose can meet real human needs and unlock business growth, Jonathan sets the stage for the brand platform reveal that follows. | Jonathan Hall - Managing Partner, Sustainable Transformation Practice, Kantar |
| 1.00pm | Lunch Exhibition & catering area | |
| 2.00pm | Session 4: Building the World's Healthiest Fruit Brand Unveiling of Zespri's new brand platform to launch in 2026 | Kok Hwee Ng - Chief Marketing Officer, Zespri |
| 2.30pm | Session 5: 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 * Remote session * Due to a change in circumstances, Carlos Garcia-Galan will now be delivering his presentation remotely. |
| 3.30pm | Closing remarks | Toni Street and David Downs |
| 4.00pm | Afternoon Tea Exhibition & catering area | |
| 6.30pm - 11.00pm | Fresh Carriers Hayward Medal Gala 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 Panellists: Shane Walden, Managing Director, ANL and CMA CGM (Oceania) Dr Paul Bennett, Co-Founder & CTO, Biowave Blair Culph, Global Supply Chain Development Manager, Zespri Matteo Colombini, Co-CEO, Orsero | 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 Mark Kennedy - Managing Partner, Kantar | |
| 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? | Dr Jill Stanley - Science Group Leader - Fruit Crops Physiology, Bioeconomy Science Institute Dr Palash Biswas PhD - Innovation Manager, Future Growing Systems, Zespri Tom MacMorran - Future Growing Systems Commercial Trials Manager, 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? | Greg Clark - Head of Future Innovation, Zespri Dr Revel Drummond - Senior Scientist, Bioeconomy Science Institute Professor Andrew Allan - Science Team Leader - Accelerated Breeding Concepts, Kiwifruit New Cultivars, Bioeconomy Science Institute | |
| 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. | Carolyn Mortland -Executive Officer Sustainability, Zespri | |
| 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 | |
| 3.35pm | Session 4: Wrap – Bringing it all together. MC moderated panel discussion. Panellists: Jason Te Brake - CEO, Zespri Kok Hwee Ng - Chief Marketing Officer, Zespri Tim Mackle - Chief Supply Chain Officer, Zespri Carl Cooper - Executive Officer, Innovation and Commercialisation, Zespri | Toni Steet and David Downs |
| 4.25pm | Closing Remarks | Jason Te Brake - CEO, Zespri |