People Expo 2025 - Hawera

Are you a dairy farmer that employs or manages people?

Join us at one of the People Expo symposiums for the opportunity to hear from thought leaders on what’s needed to help tackle the big issues in empowering people for a productive workplace. You’ll gain insights from experts, have the opportunity to connect with other farmers facing the same challenges, and come away armed with inspiration and practical tips to put in action for your farm team.

When:

9.30am - registration

10.00am - start

2.15pm - finish

Where: Tairoa Lodge, 3 Puawai Street, Hawera

It’s free to attend, but registration is essential by the close date below. Lunch is provided.

Registrations close on Tuesday 25 March

Delivered in partnership by DairyNZ and Dairy Women’s Network.

About the speakers

Shamubeel Eaqub - leading economist

Shamubeel will speak to global, national, and regional economic and workforce trends and outline why farm businesses must act differently to stay successful and attract and keep people. How do we continue to drive the productivity and efficiency which New Zealand’s dairy story has been built on?

Jeremy Duckmanton – 50/50 sharemilker

Mid-Canterbury dairy farmer Jeremy Duckmanton will share his farming journey and approach to achieving productivity gains through different technologies and data. Hear more about how Jeremy has supported his farm team in adopting new technologies to set the farm business up for success.

Kim and Will Grayling – Singletree Dairies Limited

As equity partners in one of Canterbury’s largest dairy farming businesses, Kim and Will Grayling (Singletree Dairies Limited) share their experience creating a productive farm business through leadership. Hear more about Kim and Will’s approach to leadership, creating opportunities for growth that benefits both their farm team, as well as the future of the farm business.

James Allen – AgFirst director

James will talk to the dairy productivity story, including trends in New Zealand and worldwide, and the implications of these for farmers. Hear about the future role of Agri-tech and AI in farming, and what this could mean for what the farmer of the future will look like. What changes in skills and capabilities of the broader farm team will be required, and how do we set up for success?

Who should attend?

All dairy farmers and rural professionals who support dairy farmers are welcome.

The people who will benefit most are:

• Business owners (including those who may not be involved in the day to day running of the farm)

• Employers of farm staff

• Managers keen to further their leadership skills to lead their team(s)

• 2ICs and aspiring/new people managers

How is the day structured?

The day is designed to challenge, inspire and inform. It is fast paced because your time is valuable. The programme beings at 10am. Registration is from 9.30am and the day will finish at 2.15pm.