The future of horticulture in New Zealand will likely be shaped by various factors, including climate change, changing consumer preferences, and new technologies. Currently, the horticulture industry is generating around $10 billion in exports annually.
Can we grow sustainably in the horticulture sector, embracing technology while enhancing the customer experience? Will we be growing more inside to mitigate the changing climate, will we see an increase in symbiotic systems like aquaponics, or will we grow without daylight in urban areas? The global trends are clear; horticulture will be shaped by technology, urban growing will increase and the environmental footprint of the sector will be reduced.
But what about New Zealand? Our Industry rep will give us a sector overview, Farmer friend Lenny will give us the first-hand experience, and prof Pieter-Willem will give us a snapshot into the of symbiotic horticulture systems at Lincoln University.
Join us for this exciting session, where we will hear more about the future of Horticulture from those working in this space.
Timings:
9.00am : Welcome & introduction from B.linc
9.10am : Keynote address 1 - Pieter-Willem Hendriks, Lincoln University
9.30am : Keynote address 2 - Colin Bond, NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated
9.50am : Keynote address 3 - Leonard Arkestyn, Moffatt’s Flower Company
10.10am : Panel discussion/Interactive Q&A session with audience
10.30am : Speaking finishes, networking in breakout rooms
11.00am : Event finishes
Our speakers
Pieter-Willem Hendriks, Lincoln University
My area is arable crop production, phenotyping and breeding. I have a specific interest in below-ground crop development and interactions. My recent research evolved around wheat- weed interactions and the improvement of the competitive ability of wheat. Competition with weeds is an ongoing problem in wheat production. The cost of weeds, increasing concerns around food safety, soil health, herbicide resistance and the reduction in the release of novel products suggest a need for an integrated weed management approach. Improving the competitive ability of wheat is one of the tools available in this integrated weed management. We studied the impact of the selection for and the breeding with increased early shoot vigour on the competitiveness of wheat. A particular focus was set at below ground root architecture and allelochemical interactions. Currently I am trying to set up a breeding effort to find solutions for the New Zealand Potato Industry. I would like to develop the speed breeding and phenotyping capacity at Lincoln University.
Colin Bond, NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated
Colin’s role as CEO is responsible for leading NZKGI to deliver its mission of advocating, protecting, and enhancing the commercial and political interests of New Zealand kiwifruit growers. Colin also manages the Industry Stability portfolio.
Leonard Arkestyn, Moffatt’s Flower Company
Leonard (Lenny) Arkesteijn was born in Den Hoorn a little place on the fringes of Delft ( The Netherlands) . The area is known for its glasshouse horticulture and growing is been in the family for generations (mainly veggies). It was only natural that Lenny followed that path too,
After obtaining a diploma in horticulture there was a little break to fulfil military service (compulsory back then) after that he started working at several different places in horticulture again, hungry for more knowledge he went to obtain his Bsc Hort at the HAS Delft. He decided to do his final thesis overseas. Via a Dutch consultant he ended up at Moffatts Flower Company in New Zealand. That was September 1996. In February 1997 he went back to Holland to complete his studies and in May that same year he started as production manager at MFC. The plan was for a year, but that went to quick, the rest is history. Over the years there has been different crops grown, Gerbera’s, phalaenopsis, house plants, lilies, but roses have always been the main crop. Moffatt’s Flower Company has changed ownership about 3 years ago, it is now part of the Aroma Group (Green lip mussel farms), The new owners are keen to grow the business and the brand.
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