Marketing, Sales & Customer Strategies for NZ's rural businesses

19-20 OCTOBER 2026
CROWNE PLAZA, AUCKLAND

Rural Connect Forum

Rural marketing is changing faster than most organisations are ready for.

The relationships that built your business are under pressure. Digital is reshaping how rural customers discover, evaluate and buy. Costs are rising. Audiences are fragmenting. And the next generation of farm owners and operators thinks and behaves differently from the last.

The strategies that worked five years ago are no longer enough.

Rural Connect Forum is New Zealand’s only dedicated event for marketing, sales and customer engagement professionals working in the rural sector – two days of expert insight, real-world case studies and peer connection designed to help you lead what comes next.

WHAT WE'LL EXPLORE

Two days. The issues that matter most.

From understanding how your rural customer is evolving, to leveraging the tools and strategies that will define the next era of rural marketing and sales

The changing rural customer
Understanding shifting buyer behaviour, complex decision making structures and the next generation of farm owners and operators.
Connection in a digital world
How to digitise relationships, navigate fragmented media channels and build authentic trust and brand credibility in rural communities.
Data, AI and commercial growth
Practical appraoches to customer intelligence, campaign performance, ROI measurement and future-proofing your team.

Agenda & Speakers to be announced

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 Pierre Tohe, General Manager Engagement, Tainui Group Holdings
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 Facilitator - Kanoa Lloyd, Strategy and Engagement Manager, Infrastructure New Zealand Barney Riley, Divisional Manager of the Trade Policy Engagement and Implementation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Sebastian Doelle, Manager Tade & Supply Chains, Ministry Business, Innovation and Employment
11:50	Optimising supply chains through collaboration: Lessons from Australia 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 Dr Hermione Parsons, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Logistics Council
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 Facilitator - Chris Foord, Partner, Argon & Co Adele Wilson, Chief Customer and Growth Officer, KiwiRail Justin Tighe-Umbers, Chief Executive, National Road Carriers Tonille Crombie, GM – Group Supply Chain and Procurement, Talley's Group Limited Arjern Ramnarayan, Director of Retail Services and Enablement, Woolworths New Zealand
14:20	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
15:00	Afternoon Break
15:30	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 Facilitator - Nick Leggett, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure New Zealand Roger Gray, CEO, Port of Auckland Leonard Sampson, CEO, Port of Tauranga Emma Parsons, CEO, Kotahi Logistics
16:15	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 Supply Chain Director, Tainui Group Holdings
16:55	Closing comments Pierre Tohe, General Manager Engagement, Tainui Group Holdings
17:00	Networking Drinks
18:30	Aka Raupapa Superhui Dinner - The Atrium, Wintec Dinner MC - Rahui Papa, Kiingitanga Please note this is a separately bookable event. Coaches will be provisioned to transfer delegates who are registered to attend the dinner directly to Wintec.

Day 2

8:00	Registration and coffee
9:00	Welcome remarks from the Chair Pierre Tohe, General Manager Engagement, Tainui Group Holdings
9:05	Building resilient freight: Infrastructure strategy and investment Infrastructure Commission's 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 Geoff Cooper, Chief Executive, Te Waihanga, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission
9:45	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 Facilitator - Traci Houpapa, Chair, Federation of Māori Authorities Geoff Rolleston, Chairman, Māori Kiwifruit Growers Ltd. Hilton Collier, Agribusiness Advisor Craig West, Chief Executive, Tainui Group Holdings Shayne Walker, Maaori Kai Collective
10:30	Morning break
11:00	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 Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Q&A Facilitated by Craig West, Chief Executive, Tainui Group Holdings
11:45	Industry 4.0 across NZ supply chains: Technology showcase Quick fire presentations showcasing Industry 4.0 technologies transforming supply chains, including solutions like: Facilitator - Noel Thompson, Co-Founder / Director, Synergic Technologies Artificial intelligence - Janke van der Vyver, Co-Founder / Director, Synergic technologies Visibility & Traceability - Brian van Ginkel, Country Manager, Zebra Technologies Robotics and Physical Automation - Richard Mahoney, Associate Partner, Argon & Co
12:45	Lunch
13:30	Beyond Borders: Global Freight and Supply Chain Perspectives How New Zealand’s freight and supply chain challenges compare with those faced by leading economies around the world Global lessons in infrastructure investment, supply chain resilience, productivity, and trade competitiveness that can be applied in New Zealand Emerging international trends in decarbonisation, digitalisation, workforce capability, and supply chain innovation Opportunities for New Zealand to strengthen its position in global supply networks and build greater economic resilience in an increasingly complex world Facilitator - Warren Head, Editor, Shipping Gazette Dom Kalasih, Chief Executive, Transporting New Zealand Rachel Madden, General Manager New Zealand KLN Oceania and President, NZ Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand Inc. (CBAFF) Lyel Brady, Group Chief Supply Chain Officer, The Warehouse Group
14:15	The Opportunity at the edge: Reimagining Aotearoa’s supply chain future How New Zealand is viewed globally — and why our geography, reputation and renewable potential create unique competitive advantages The opportunity to design a low-emissions, resilient supply chain system that strengthens trade, productivity and national prosperity What bold, connected action across industry and government could unlock for freight, logistics and infrastructure in the decades ahead Dr Victoria Hatton, Chief Executive, Food HQ
14:50	Summary remarks from the Chair Pierre Tohe, General Manager Engagement, Tainui Group Holdings
15:00	Conference close and Karakia Rahui Papa, Kiingitanga
15:00	Conference close

Speakers

Nigel Wilson

GM Corporate Communications

KiwiRail

Read bio

Nigel Wilson is a senior communications and engagement leader with more than 20 years’ experience helping large and complex organisations navigate transformation, uncertainty and high-pressure environments.

He is currently GM Corporate Communications at KiwiRail, where he has led communication and engagement through significant organisational change, major operational events, and periods of intense public and stakeholder scrutiny. His experience spans executive communication, internal culture and engagement, leadership alignment, crisis communication, and translating complex strategy into clear, human-centred narratives.

Prior to KiwiRail, Nigel held senior communications roles at organisations including Spark, BNZ and Fonterra, working across large-scale transformation programmes, culture and leadership initiatives, and enterprise-wide change.

Nigel is particularly interested in the role trust, clarity and leadership behaviour play during periods of transformation, and how organisations can communicate in ways that build credibility, reduce confusion and support meaningful change adoption.

Nigel is known for combining strategic insight, operational realism and engaging storytelling to help leaders think differently about trust, communication and change.

Melissa Crawford

Director

Tech with Heart

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Melissa Crawford is a leading Expert in the Future of work. With a rare skillset crossing both people and technology. Her earlier career has included senior roles across NZ’s largest organisations crossing a variety of industries including Tech, Airline, Banking, FMCG, Retail, Education and Energy. Melissa has two technology degrees and is currently completing a Master of Science in Psychology. Using this focus across Technology and People Melissa applies this to her Futurist and Strategic Foresight work. Melissa is a graduate from both The Institute for the Future and Houston University’s Foresight programmes as well as being a member of the Association of Professional Futurists. In 2025 Melissa was awarded the Emerging Directors Award from the Institute of Directors. Melissa is the Director of Tech with Heart where she helps companies with their future strategies, holds a place on a number of governance and advisory boards and is a sought-after global keynote speaker. Her passion is sharing her knowledge with learning curious people and working on strategic projects to help shape a better future.

Scott Wright

Founder

The HI Company

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Scott Wright is a speaker, TEDx presenter and founder of The HI Co, with 30 years of senior commercial and executive leadership experience across iconic businesses including Frucor Suntory, Lion, Goodman Fielder, DB and Cadbury. A former Marketing Director, Commercial Director and General Manager, Scott has spent nearly two decades on executive leadership teams, leading strategy, driving growth, building cultures and navigating disruption from the inside.

His recent TEDx talk, What Are Your Yellow Shoes?, explored how to best invest in your Human Identity and presence as a strategic asset, not just a soft skill. Scott’s message for finance and accounting leaders is that knowing your personal leadership brand is a critical skill to underpin your effectiveness.

Amy Cavanaugh

Head of Transformation

Public Trust

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Allan Sampson

Executive Leadership | Business Transformation and Strategy

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Shyamini Szeko

Head of Organisational Capability

Tegel foods

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Shyamini Szeko is Head of Organisational Capability at Tegel Foods, where she leads work that connects strategy, capability, and execution across the business. She focuses on helping organisations build the capability and confidence to navigate ongoing change, not just once, but continuously. Her Master’s in Change and Organisational Resilience has shaped a particular interest in how continuous change and an ageing workforce intersect in the workplace. She focuses on how change is experienced differently across life stages, and what this means for organisations trying to sustain performance, inclusion, and adaptability over time.

Why your school will value this investment:

The Kura Conference is designed for maximum institutional impact, tailored specifically for Primary & Secondary School Leaders, HODs, Lead Teachers, and Educational Innovators.

Because this is a multi-streamed event covering curriculum, tech, and wellbeing simultaneously, the most effective strategy is to send a leadership cohort to divide and conquer the program. By customising your team’s experience and swapping between streams, your school will walk away with a comprehensive return on investment:

Actionable Curriculum Blueprints:

Your curriculum leads and HODs will gain ready-to-implement frameworks for the refreshed national curriculum, moving seamlessly from policy to classroom practice.

Workload Reduction through Tech:

Your educational innovators will discover verified AI and tech use cases specifically vetted to give teachers time back and streamline administration.

Strategic Alignment & Value Protection:

Your senior leadership team will acquire the change-management tools needed to align incoming national priorities with your school’s unique local values.

Staff Resilience & Wellbeing:

Your leadership cohort will bring back practical, systemic strategies to combat teacher burnout, navigate complex student behaviours, and support neurodivergence.

National Networking:

Your staff will connect and collaborate with primary and secondary peers from across Aotearoa who are successfully navigating the exact same transitions.

Tickets Opening Soon — Register Your Interest

We are currently finalising our ticketing tiers, including exclusive early-bird rates and team package discounts. Register your interest below.

This event is ideal for:

Executives and leaders: Those responsible for driving strategic change and organisational transformation.
Change management professionals: Individuals who specialise in managing and leading change initiatives.
HR professionals: HR leaders and practitioners interested in fostering a culture of change and employee engagement.
Consultants and advisors: Professionals who support organisations in their change and transformation journeys.
Anyone seeking to develop their leadership skills and ability to navigate change.

Venue

The location and how you can get there

Address

Crowne Plaza
128 Albert Street,
Auckland

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities

Live B2B events are your chance to shine. Showcase your thought leadership, solidify your market position, and forge valuable connections with potential customers – all at once.

This exclusive event puts you in front of a highly skilled audience hungry for insights. Get ready for meaningful engagement that drives results.

Plus, we have some unique opportunities to put your company, products, and services in the spotlight.

Ready to take your brand to the next level? Contact us today to learn more or secure your spot at this leading event.

Tickets - choose your option

$1500

$ 900 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 17 July, 2026.

$1900

$ 1300 + gst

For valid ticket, payment by 17 July, 2026.

$900

$ 800 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 17 July, 2026.

$1999

$ 1100 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 25 September, 2026.

$1900

$ 1500 + gst

For valid ticket, payment by 25 September, 2026.

$ 900 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 11 November, 2026.

$1500

$ 1300 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 20 October, 2026.

$1900

$ 1700 + gst

For valid ticket, payment by 20 October, 2026.

$ 1500 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 11 November, 2026.

$ 1900 + gst

For valid ticket, payment by 11 November, 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

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