May 8 @ 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Join us for our inaugural Agritech Unleashed event in Hawke’s Bay. We’re showcasing how our land and people are shaping Aotearoa’s agritech future.
Our exclusive, limited-capacity event brings together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers and investors to explore the future of agritech in one of our most dynamic food-producing regions.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday 8 May
- Time: 8.30am – 6.00pm
- Location: Foodeast Haumako, Tomoana, Hastings, New Zealand
- Cost: $99 ($179 non-members)
BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
What you’ll experience:
- Gain expert insights
Engage with industry leaders and participate in panel discussions on agritech advancements - Savor culinary excellence
Share a delicious lunch showcasing Hawke’s Bay’s finest produce - Create valuable connections
Build relationships with key decision-makers and innovators in our thriving agritech ecosystem - Further programme information will be available shortly.
This event is designed for meaningful conversations, with limited spots available to keep things personal and impactful.
Why Hawkes Bay?
- A powerhouse in food production and agritech innovation
- Home to leading research, technology, and industry collaboration
- A vibrant region known for its premium produce and sustainable practices
- Close to key agritech and food production sites, allowing for hands-on experiences
BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
Speaker Details:
Andrew Kersley, CEO, Smart Machine
We’re thrilled to welcome Andrew Kersley, Founder and CEO of SmartMachine, as a featured speaker at Agritech Unleashed. A visionary leader in agricultural robotics, Andrew has guided SmartMachine from its earliest conceptual stages through to its current phase of global commercialization – all while building this transformative technology from regional New Zealand.
With a Masters in Technology and extensive experience spanning medical, marine, aeronautical, and industrial automation sectors, Andrew brings a rare cross-industry perspective to agritech innovation. His journey demonstrates how world-class agricultural technology can be developed right here in New Zealand while competing on the global stage.
Chelsea Hirst, Head of Acceleration and Engagement, Sprout Agritech
We’re excited to introduce Chelsea Hirst, Head of Acceleration and Engagement at Sprout Agritech, as a featured speaker at Agritech Unleashed. With a passion for fostering innovation, Chelsea leads Sprout’s entrepreneurial capability-building programmes, including the renowned Germinate initiative and Sprout Accelerator, supporting over 190 founders across 70+ ventures.
A seasoned entrepreneur herself, Chelsea won the 2016 Manawatu Innovate competition with her startup, Peurgon. Her diverse background spans rural corporates like FMG and Pamu, hands-on dairy farming, and published research on grazing management. Armed with a BSc in Agricultural Science from Massey University, Chelsea brings a unique blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial insight to the agritech ecosystem.
Morgan Rogers, General Manager, Venturefruit Global Limited (A T&G Global company)
We’re thrilled to have Morgan at Agritech Unleashed to share his unparalleled expertise in science and tech innovation!
With 21 years of agribusiness leadership – including 15 years at T&G Global, Morgan is driving the future of fruit commercialization.
At VentureFruit, he’s expanded operations to 27 countries, managing 10+ breeding programmes and pioneering IP strategies that bring high-value fruit varieties to global markets.
Paul Burns, Partner and Head of Acquisitions & Corporate Finance, Craigmore Sustainables
Paul will be joining us at Agritech Unleashed to share his expertise in agribusiness investment and growth!Paul brings extensive expertise in agricultural investments across dairy, horticulture and agritech innovation.
Deeply connected within the agricultural sector, Paul offers strategic insights into positive land-use change, disruptive technologies, investment appraisal and capital raising. He holds various governance roles, particularly in irrigation infrastructure/hydroelectric and multiple dairy farming enterprises.
Paul also founded ‘The Urban Shed’, a forum designed to facilitate meetings and host industry leaders, promoting open discussion on topics specific to New Zealand’s Food & Fibre sector and its global impact.
Richard Beaumont, Founder and Director, Agovor
We’re thrilled to welcome Richard Beaumont, a true bridge between tradition and innovation in horticulture, to Agritech Unleashed!
As Founder & Director of Agovor and co-owner of 90-year-old Ardmore Nurseries, Richard combines multi-generational growing wisdom with cutting-edge agtech solutions. His hands-on experience as a grower directly informs Agovor’s practical robotics solutions, ensuring they address real-world challenges in nurseries and orchards.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an innovator who’s successfully marrying legacy knowledge with disruptive technology.
Bridgit Hawkins, Chief Sustainability Officer, CropX Technologies
We’re delighted to welcome Bridgit Hawkins, a leading voice in sustainable agricultural technology, to Agritech Unleashed. As Chief Sustainability Officer at CropX Technologies, Chair of Bovonic, and Chair of AgriTech New Zealand, Bridgit brings a wealth of expertise at the critical intersection of farming innovation and environmental stewardship.
At CropX, she drives the development of data-driven solutions that empower climate-smart agriculture, helping farmers worldwide optimise resources while reducing environmental impact. Through her leadership roles with Bovonic and AgriTechNZ, Bridgit is championing technologies that balance productivity with sustainability.
Join us to gain insights from one of the sector’s most influential thought leaders on how we can harness innovation to build a more sustainable future for agriculture.
Dr Mark Bart, CEO, Metris
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Mark Bart, Director of Metris, to Agritech Unleashed. With a PhD in gas-phase physical chemistry and deep expertise in precision measurement systems, Mark specializes in developing cutting-edge weather forecasting and environmental monitoring solutions for horticulture and other critical industries.
His impressive career includes:
- Fundamental research at New Zealand’s National Measurement Standards Laboratory
- Atmospheric chemistry studies at the University of Leeds
- Developing air quality monitoring systems before acquiring Metris in 2017
Under Mark’s leadership, Metris delivers hyper-local weather intelligence that helps growers optimize operations and mitigate risks. Join us to learn how precision environmental monitoring is transforming agricultural decision-making.
Hamish Penny, CEO and Founder, Croptide
We’re thrilled to welcome Hamish Penny, Founder & CEO of Croptide, to Agritech Unleashed. As the visionary behind this Hawke’s Bay-based agritech innovator, Hamish is revolutionizing how growers access and use critical plant data to drive smarter decisions.
Croptide’s groundbreaking technology provides real-time, plant-based insights through innovative stem-attached sensors, helping growers optimise productivity, reduce environmental impact and navigate climate challenges with precision. Hamish’s passion for developing practical, revolutionary solutions stems from his deep understanding of the complex pressures facing modern growers.
Join us to hear how Croptide is transforming agricultural management by delivering the right data at the right time – turning plant intelligence into actionable insights for a more sustainable future.
BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
An Amazing Venue
The first event in the Agritech Unleashed series will take place at Foodeast Haumako, a state-of-the-art facility in Tomoana, Hastings – the heart of Hawke’s Bay’s thriving food and agritech sector.
Foodeast is a collaborative hub for food producers, researchers, and technology innovators, making it the perfect setting for a day dedicated to exploring the future of agritech. With world-class facilities and a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and industry collaboration, Foodeast embodies the spirit of Agritech Unleashed.
Join us for a day where conversations spark collaboration, and the latest agritech innovations meet real-world applications. This special event, celebrating Hawke’s Bay, launches our Agritech Unleashed regional series.
Wonderful Partners
Special thanks to our regional supporter Foodeast Haumako and the wonderful team – Rachel, Mel and Michael.
Special thanks to our supporters:
