1-2 July 2026 | The Pā, University of Waikato

Aka Raupapa National Freight and Supply Chain Superhui

Freight & Supply Chain Superhui

MOVING FROM INTENTION TO ACTION

In an era of geopolitical volatility, climate disruption, and rapid technological shifts, New Zealand’s “last bus stop on the planet” status is both a challenge and a strategic opportunity.

Aka Raupapa is the inaugural Superhui designed to break down silos. We are moving past high-level intentions and into a space of sequenced action. This is where Government policy, Industry operations, and Iwi investment horizons converge to build a supply chain that is not just efficient, but intergenerationally resilient.

Headline Sponsor

KEY THEMES FOR 2026

Building Resilient Supply Chains

Lifting Productivity Across the Freight & Logistics Ecosystem

Investing for Long-Term Prosperity & Intergenerational Outcomes

Collective Action: Aligning Government, Industry and Iwi

Who's in the room?

This is a high-level forum for decision-makers.
You should attend if you are a:

C-Suite Executive or Director in Port, Rail, Shipping, or Logistics.
Government Official or Policy Architect shaping national infrastructure strategy.
Iwi Leader or Strategic Investor looking for long-term commercial and cultural alignment.
Supply Chain Strategist ready to move from tactical fixes to systemic resilience.
Regional Economic Development & Local Government: Council leaders focused on regional prosperity and infrastructure connectivity.

HONOHONO

Connectedness

The vine that binds ecosystems becomes the network that binds our economy.

raupapa

Organisation

From scattered effort to sequenced action; from silos to system.

Whakatinanahia

From intention to action

Real decisions, real commitments, real delivery.

Whakapapa

Intergenerational view

Choices that honour those before us and equip those after us.

Manawaroa

Resilience

Designing for shocks and adapting with agility.

toituu

Sustainability & Productivity

Doing more with less impact; value that endures.

Te Puutake - The Essence

Aka is the vine: living, tensile, always seeking, binding trees and whole ecosystems together. Raupapa is order: the purposeful arranging, sequencing and organising that turns movement into momentum. Aka Raupapa is the living network of Aotearoa New Zealand’s supply chain – roots, branches and waterways interlaced – moving us from intention to action.

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For centuries Waikato awa (river) was the original supply chain of local iwi – the aka that connected people, places and prosperity. Along its banks, stands of trees intertwined below the surface; old trees giving life to the new. Trade among iwi before the arrival of the settlers was sophisticated and relational: kumara met tuna; fish from Kaawhia travelled inland; mountain kai journeyed downstream. Nothing stood alone; everything found its path through connection, reciprocity and careful whakaraupapa – stacking, sequencing and organising so the right taonga reached the right people at the right time.

Aka Raupapa re-awakens that worldview for the 21st century and beyond. It is the invitation to gather government, industry and iwi leaders, network operators, exporters, property specialists and cargo owners into one river of thought – a Superhui – to weave a national logistics system that is cohesive, resilient, productive and future-fit.

When the river is connected, life moves. When our supply chain is organised, Aotearoa moves—with speed where speed matters, with care where care is essential, and with purpose always. Aka Raupapa is the moment we move together.

For Brightstar, this partnership represents its ongoing journey to find a meaningful pathway in a modern Aotearoa, acting as a catalyst for organisations that put people at the centre of their success. This mission aligns perfectly with TGH’s responsibility to grow the commercial assets of Waikato-Tainui, where every profit is reinvested into the health, education, the environment, cultural wellbeing of the iwi and the generations to follow.

KEY THEMES FOR 2026

These four strategic themes capture the critical pillars of the Aka Raupapa Superhui, offering partners a clear opportunity to align their brand with the resilience, innovation, and cultural leadership shaping the future of Aotearoa New Zealand’s supply chain.

Building Resilient Supply Chains

Aotearoa New Zealand’s geographic remoteness, climate exposure and global connectivity risks demand a more resilient national freight and supply chain system. This theme explores how resilience is built through coordinated planning, adaptive infrastructure, diversified routes, and stronger collaboration between government, industry and iwi. The focus is on moving beyond reactive responses to designing systems that can absorb shocks, adapt quickly and protect long-term national prosperity.

Lifting Productivity Across the Freight & Logistics Ecosystem

Productivity is the engine that enables the country to compete globally while managing cost, time and complexity across freight networks. This theme examines how system-wide productivity gains can be achieved through better network design, intermodal integration, technology adoption and smarter investment decisions. By addressing bottlenecks, duplication and fragmentation, the Superhui looks at how productivity improvements directly support resilience and unlock sustainable economic growth.

Investing for Long-Term Prosperity and Intergenerational Outcomes

Prosperity requires intentional, long-term investment that aligns capital, policy and market incentives with national outcomes. This theme focuses on how infrastructure investment, emerging capital models and investor expectations are shaping the future of ports, freight corridors and logistics assets. It emphasises prosperity not just in economic terms, but through intergenerational value creation, environmental stewardship and a future-fit supply chain for generations to come.

Collective Action: Aligning Government, Industry and Iwi

A resilient, productive and prosperous supply chain cannot be built in silos. This theme centres on the power of collective action — aligning government strategy, industry capability and iwi leadership to move from intention to implementation. Aka Raupapa creates the space to weave these perspectives into a cohesive national approach as a living network, strengthening trust, coordination and shared ownership of Aotearoa’s supply chain future.

Speakers

More speakers to be announced check back soon…

More Info

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Adele Wilson

Chief Customer & Growth Officer

KiwiRail

Read bio

Adele Wilson is the Chief Customer & Growth Officer at KiwiRail responsible for sales, marketing, customer experience and customer delivery across KiwiRail’s rail freight, Interislander and Great Journey’s New Zealand businesses. Adele is an experienced senior leader, who along with the executive team at KiwiRail is leading a transformation of KiwiRail, driving growth through Customer centricity.

Barney Riley

Manager Trade Policy, Engagement and Implementation Division, Trade & Economic Group

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

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Barney has a legal background and practiced commercial law in New Zealand and the United Kingdom for six years before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2001. During his time in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington, Barney has worked on a wide range of issues from trade policy to climate change and international law. In his current role he manages the Trade Policy, Engagement and Implementation Division in the Ministry’s Trade and Economic Group, and is New Zealand’s Senior Official for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). He has previously been New Zealand’s International Trade Law Advisor, and Chief Negotiator responsible for New Zealand’s trade negotiations with China, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Outside Wellington, Barney has had postings to the New Zealand embassies in Tehran and Geneva, and served as Ambassador to Egypt in 2014-2018 (where he was also non-resident Ambassador to Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and New Zealand Representative to Palestine) and Saudi Arabia in 2021-2024 (where he was also non-resident Ambassador to Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Yemen).

Santiago Aon

Director Global Supply Chain

Fonterra

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Leonard Sampson

Chief Executive

Port of Tauranga

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Leonard Sampson is the Chief Executive of NZX listed, Port of Tauranga, New Zealand’s largest and most efficient seaport. Leonard joined Port of Tauranga in 2013 as General Manager Commercial, leading commercial strategy, and customer growth. He was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2019, with responsibility for operational performance and capability across the Port’s activities and became Chief Executive in 2021. With a strong background in supply chain and logistics, Leonard has held senior roles across transport, supply chain, and industrial sectors, including KiwiRail, Carter Holt Harvey, and Mainfreight. He is known for a practical, customer-focused approach and for driving performance through strong operational discipline and long-term planning.

Dr David Skilling

Director

Landfall Strategy Group

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Dr David Skilling is the founding Director of Landfall Strategy Group, a research and advisory firm established in 2011 that provides insights on global economic, geopolitical, and policy developments to firms, investors, and governments. David serves clients in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US.

David served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand between 2011 and 2015, providing insight on global economic and political developments. David also served as Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Co from 2011 until 2017, and was a Fellow at Singapore’s Civil Service College for several years.

Prior to founding Landfall Strategy Group in 2011, David was an Associate Principal with McKinsey & Company in Singapore, as well as being a Senior Fellow with the McKinsey Global Institute, McKinsey’s in-house economic think-tank. Before joining McKinsey, David was the founding Chief Executive of the New Zealand Institute, a privately-funded think-tank. Until 2003, David was a Principal Advisor at the New Zealand Treasury, advising on various strategic economic policy issues.

David writes a widely read note on global economic and political issues, and has written op-eds in publications such as the Straits Times, the Wall Street Journal, Project Syndicate, The Times, Foreign Affairs, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, and the Nikkei Asian Review.

David has a Ph.D. in Public Policy, and a Master in Public Policy degree, from Harvard University, as well as a Master of Commerce degree in Economics from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. David was named as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2008.

Roger Gray

CEO

Port of Auckland

Read bio

Roger is the CEO of Port of Auckland and was appointed in March 2022. During his career he has led businesses across the Maritime, Aviation, FMCG and Private Equity sectors in both New Zealand and Australia. Before joining the Port of Auckland, Roger was the CEO of Lyttleton Port Company for two years. Lyttleton is the main import and export hub of the South Island. Prior to Lyttleton Port Company he worked at Air New Zealand for 6.5 years where his last role was Group General Manager Airports, overseeing all ground handling and lounge operations at 55 airports around the globe, covering 2,800 staff who handle 18 million passengers annually. In his time at Goodman Fielder he held several senior leadership positions, including Managing Director of Quality Bakers – New Zealand. Earlier in his working life Roger served for 20 years in the Australian Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Roger holds bachelor degrees in arts and economics, a Masters of Business in Integrated Logistics and an MBA. More recently Roger has completed executive education at INSEAD and Kellogg School of Management. Roger joined the Board of NZ Post in July 2024.

Event Agenda

Day 1

8:00	Registration and coffee
08:30	Mihi Whakatau
9:00	Welcome from Waikato Tainui Tukoroirangi Morgan, Chairman, Te Arataura (Executive Committee of Te Whakakitenga)
9:10	Welcome remarks from the Chair
9:20	Supply chains to the last bus stop on the planet: An international perspective on strengthening New Zealand’s supply chain resilience How a highly productive and resilient supply chain is a source of competitive advantage and critical part of Aotearoa-NZ’s national economic security Understand New Zealand’s global position and unique supply chain challenges, including remoteness, connectivity risks, and vulnerability to global tensions Explore our national strengths and where the opportunities lie to collaborate and design a system that is resilient, productive, and fit for future generations Explore how Aotearoa could move towards a more strategically cohesive and co-ordinated long-term view of New Zealand’s supply chain Dr David Skilling, Director, Landfall Strategy Group
10:00	Morning break
10:30	Shaping the playing field – NZ government agency perspectives Hear from government agencies as they outline their vision for the future of New Zealand’s supply chain and its role in economic growth and resilience Gain perspectives of how different parts of the supply chain system are managed and overseen across the public sector Key strategies and policy settings shaping freight, logistics, trade, and infrastructure Priority focus areas for each department and planned actions over the next 3–5 years to lift performance, sustainability, and collaboration Barney Riley, Divisional Manager of the Trade Policy Engagement and Implementation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade More speakers to be anounced
12:30	Lunch
13:30	Panel – Reimagining New Zealand’s supply chain: Productivity, resilience and prosperity for the decade ahead Perspectives on key challenges, opportunities and strategic priorities to better align industry, government and Iwi to support New Zealand’s supply chain future Explore the critical levers available to achieve greater resilience in New Zealand’s supply chain Examine opportunities for immediate improvements in time, cost, quality and value versus longer term systemic change The role innovative technologies play in future export growth opportunities and strengthening Aotearoa’s supply chain position Long-term strategic visions for sustainability and environmental protection, and workforce capacity and capability building for future generations Adele Wilson, Chief Customer and Growth Officer, KiwiRail More panellists to be announced soon
14:20	International case study - Optimising supply chains through collaboration: Lessons from abroad Government and business working together to optimise supply chains and lessons for New Zealand from comparable economies Overview of strategic policies and frameworks used to help drive improved productivity, resilience and prosperity
15:00	Afternoon Break
15:20	CEO Panel: Ports, shipping & the future of freight Hear directly from port and shipping line CEOs on the biggest challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s maritime supply chain — from global volatility to changing customer expectations Explore how different ownership models, capital structures, and potential changes to regional governance including the impact of regional councils being disestablished could reshape investment, strategy, and accountability Examine the role of automation, technology, and operational efficiencies in improving productivity, resilience, and competitiveness across New Zealand’s port and shipping network Roger Gray, CEO, Port of Auckland Leonard Sampson, CEO, Port of Tauranga More panellists to be announced soon
16:05	Case study - Supply chain strategy: Driving efficiency and resilience Overview of supply chain approaches and strategic priorities in complex operating environments Insights into hub-and-spoke models and how they drive efficiency, resilience, and responsiveness Balancing cost, service levels, and network design to strengthen supply chain performance Santiago Aon, Director Global Supply Chain, Fonterra
16:30	Case study - Ruakura Inland Port: Transforming freight and supply chain connectivity Case study of Ruakura Inland Port’s impact on regional and national supply chains Economic logic of intermodal logistics hubs – impacts of co-locating importers and exporters Integrating new logistics infrastructure with legacy infrastructure assets Role of strategic partnerships in developing strategic supply chain infrastructure Role of productivity, sustainability and resilience in location decisions Intergenerational thinking and the impact on investment horizons Dave Christie, Strategic Suppy Chain Director, Tainui Group Holdings
17:00	Day 1 Close and Networking Drinks

Day 2

8:00	Registration and coffee
9:00	Welcome remarks from the Chair
9:05	Keynote - Ministerial address Government priorities for transport, ports, rail, and logistics infrastructure to improve freight efficiency, connectivity, and export competitiveness Creating the policy, planning, and investment settings that enable collaboration and long-term development of New Zealand’s freight and supply chain system Minister for Infrastructure under invitation
9:30	Keynote – Building resilient freight: Infrastructure strategy and investment Infrastructure Commissions role and influence in shaping a National Freight & Supply Chain Strategy Pipeline and investment in infrastructure supporting intermodal freight routes Strengthening the resilience of infrastructure assets through effective maintenance and preparedness for shocks and disruptions New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga, under invitation
10:00	Future-proofing freight: Investing in resilient and sustainable supply chains Investment outlook for freight and ports including capital availability, emerging capital models, and how investor expectations are shaping resilience and sustainability decisions across logistics network Building investor resilience and how extreme weather, climate risk and network disruption are changing asset design, risk pricing and long-term returns across ports, shipping and domestic distribution
10:30	Morning break
11:00	The Maaori economy and its impact on NZs supply chains Exploring the growth and diversification of the Maaori economy and its implications for New Zealand’s supply chains Exploring the role of Maaori-owned businesses and asset holders in strengthening supply chain resilience Exploring workforce shifts within the Maaori economy and their impact on skills, innovation and supply chain capability
11:30	Industry 4.0 across NZ supply chains: Technology showcase Quick fire presentations showcasing Industry 4.0 technologies transforming supply chains, including solutions like: Agentic AI Physical automation Trucking telematics Digital H&S Solutions Visibility, traceability, compliance and quality
12:30	Lunch
13:30	People, skills and scale: Strengthening supply chain capability Outlining workforce challenges including attracting, retaining, and upskilling supply chain talent Exploring capacity and growth potential to scale operations and meet increasing domestic and global demand Capability development, building skills and technology readiness across the sector How to attract talent from overseas and compete with other industries experiencing similar workforce issues Impact of generative and agentic AI on supply chain workforce
14:10	Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage: Global Insights & Regulatory Trends Understanding ESG reporting and the commercial value of sustainability Key regulations and compliance trends emerging in the European Union Global perspectives: how Asia, the Americas, and other regions are approaching sustainability rules
14:50	Closing comments
14:55	Karakia
15:00	Conference close

Aka Raupapa Advisory Panel

Guiding the growth of this living network is an esteemed advisory panel dedicated to weaving a national logistics system that is resilient, productive, and future-fit.

Nadia Trent

Senior Lecturer in Supply Chain Management at the University of Waikato

Justin Tighe-Umbers

Chief Executive
National Road Carriers

Traci Houpapa

Chair
Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA)

Ian Bonnar

Chair New Zealand Port Company
CEO Group

This Superhui is born from a landmark collaboration:

Tainui Group Holdings: Providing intergenerational stewardship of the Waikato’s critical freight networks.

Brightstar: Bringing 30 years of B2B connection and capability building.

Together, we are creating a catalyst for organisations that put people and long-term health – environmental, cultural, and economic – at the center of success. Click here to learn more about this partnership and Aka Raupapa.

Don't just watch the future of freight happen. Shape it.

Tickets

$ 1499 per person +gst

Min Purchase 2 tickets - Must be from the same organisation and book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 1 July, 2026.

$2099

$ 1799 +gst

Save $300 with Super Saver. For valid ticket, payment by 22 May 2026.

$ 230 +gst

Dinner only.

$2329

$ 2029 +gst

Save $300 with Super Saver. Conference & Dinner bundle ticket. For valid ticket, payment by 22 May 2026.

$2099

$ 1899 +gst

Save $200 with Early Bird. For valid ticket, payment by 12 June, 2026.

$ 2099 +gst

For valid ticket, payment by 12 June, 2026.

$2329

$ 2129 +gst

Save $200 with Early Bird. For valid ticket, payment by 12 June, 2026.

$ 2329 +gst

Conference & Dinner bundle ticket. For valid ticket, payment by 1 July 2026.

Registration Conditions

Ticket Terms
All prices are in New Zealand dollars ($NZD)
A surcharge of 2.5% + GST applies to credit card payments on top of the total amount.
Pre-Sale Tickets are valid only for the specific event for which they were purchased and cannot be transferred to other events. To remain valid, Super Saver and Early Bird tickets must be paid by date quoted.
Group ticket options are valid for registrations from the same organisation, booked at the same time.
By selecting any special pricing offer for classes of organisation, sector, or individuals or using any promotion code, you are asserting to the organiser your right to claim any such pricing offer, and acknowledge the organiser’s right to audit such claim and, if in the opinion of the organiser using its sole discretion the conditions for special pricing are not met, reject any registration.

For full terms & conditions, please visit https://www.brightstar.co.nz/terms-and-conditions

Headline Sponsor

Port of Tauranga

Platinum Sponsor

KiwiRail

Notepad and Pens

KiwiRail

Session/Speaker Sponsor

Synergic Technologies

Exhibitors

Umbrella Wellbeing

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1-2 July 2026 | The Pā, University of Waikato

Aka Raupapa National Freight and Supply Chain Superhui

Freight & Supply Chain Superhui

SPEAKERS

AGENDA

TICKETS

SPONSORS

MOVING FROM INTENTION TO ACTION

Headline Sponsor

KEY THEMES FOR 2026

Building Resilient Supply Chains

Lifting Productivity Across the Freight & Logistics Ecosystem

Investing for Long-Term Prosperity & Intergenerational Outcomes

Collective Action: Aligning Government, Industry and Iwi

Who's in the room?

HONOHONO

Connectedness

raupapa

Organisation

Whakatinanahia

From intention to action

Whakapapa

Intergenerational view

Manawaroa

Resilience

toituu

Sustainability & Productivity

Te Puutake - The Essence

KEY THEMES FOR 2026

Building Resilient Supply Chains

Lifting Productivity Across the Freight & Logistics Ecosystem

Investing for Long-Term Prosperity and Intergenerational Outcomes

Collective Action: Aligning Government, Industry and Iwi

Speakers

Adele Wilson

Barney Riley

Santiago Aon

Leonard Sampson

Dr David Skilling

Roger Gray

Event Agenda

Aka Raupapa Advisory Panel

Nadia Trent

Justin Tighe-Umbers

Traci Houpapa

Ian Bonnar

This Superhui is born from a landmark collaboration:

Don't just watch the future of freight happen. Shape it.

Tickets

Double Pass

Super Saver

Dinner Ticket

Super Saver

Early Bird

Last Minute

Early Bird

Last Minute

Registration Conditions

Headline Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Notepad and Pens

Session/Speaker Sponsor

Exhibitors

Sponsor this event

Make an enquiry

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