The industry conference featuring trade stands from conference sponsors. The awards dinner will feature presentations to the winners of the Matuschka, Deer Industry as well as announcing the winners of the MSD/Allflex Deer Industry Photo Competition. Guest speaker Tawera Nikau will be a highlight of the dinner.
Registrations are open! Click here to register >>
Programme
Wednesday 13 May
Programme is subject to change
08:00 NZDFA AGM
09:00 Conference Opening
- Hon Todd McLay
- State of the industry
- Velvet
- Venison
- DINZ Board Q&A
12:30 Lunch
14:00 Conference continues...
- Quality Assurance
- Policy
- Guest Speaker - Peter Savage, BNZ Head of Customer and Industry insights (Agriculture)
- Keynote speaker - Tim Groser
After joining the NZ Treasury as a junior economist in 1973, Tim became involved in Australia–NZ economic relations which evolved into the CER Agreement. In the 1980s, he served as the Foreign Affairs adviser to Prime Ministers Robert Muldoon and David Lange. He was then appointed NZ’s Chief Trade Negotiator.
Tim later served as Ambassador to Indonesia, Ambassador to the WTO and chaired the Agriculture Negotiating Group. He then served as NZ Trade Minister, NZ Climate Change Minister (International) and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs. From 2016-19 Tim was Ambassador to the United States.
Tim was recently appointed Chair of the Advisory Group on Supercritical Geothermal Energy.
17:30 Conference ends
Time TBC - Buses to pick up guests for dinner from Distinction Hotels
19:00 Awards dinner (sponsored by Silver Fern Farms)
- Awards - Photo competition, Matuschka and Deer Industry award
- Guest speaker - Tawera Nikau
Tawera Nikau is one of New Zealand’s most formidable rugby league players, a celebrated figure in sport and Managing Director of Team One International. Tawera oversees management of his whānau’s farms, deepening his connection to the land and community. His resilience was put to the ultimate test in 2004 when he had his right leg amputated due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Undeterred, he became an ambassador for the Achilles Foundation. In recognition of his impact both on and off the field, Tawera was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby league and the community and named an Emerging Leader by the Sir Peter Blake Trust in 2011.
Time TBC - Return buses to Distinction Hotels
Thursday 14 May
08:30 Field Trip – hosted by Central Regions DFA branch, details TBC
Accommodation
Delegates need to book their own accommodation. We have rooms held at two hotels in Palmerston North:
Distinction Coachman Hotel Palmerston North
Book direct using this link www.distinctionhotelscoachman.co.nz/deer-industry2026 or contact the hotel and mention the Deer Industry NZ conference and code DEER26 reservations@distinctioncoachman.co.nz 06 356 5065
Distinction Hotel Palmerston North
Book direct using this link www.distinctionhotelspalmerstonnorth.co.nz/deer-industry2026 or contact the hotel and mention the Deer Industry NZ conference and code DEER26 reservations@distinctionpalmerstonnorth.co.nz
06 355 5895
There are also several other hotels nearby and Airbnb properties.
Sponsors
A big thank you to all our conference sponsors:
Platinum
Premium
Full exhibition
Advertising
Register your interest in sponsoring with conference organiser Melissa Bähler - positiveeventsplus@xtra.co.nz or 027 664 3080.
If you would like to discuss the conference, please get in touch with DINZ events coordinator Rebecca Norling rebecca.norling@deernz.org
Industry Awards
Nominations and entries are still open for the following awards. For details head to the following locations:
- MSD/Allflex Deer Industry Photo Competition
Changes to content, postponement and event cancellation
In the unlikely event of cancellation of this event, our liability is limited to the refund of your booking fee.
We may alter the times, dates, and content of this event without notice to you at any time.
While we are sorry if this causes inconvenience, we will not be liable for any loss, damages arising from such changes.
Payment terms
Bookings are taken by credit card via the booking link, if you prefer to be invoiced, we can issue one by request. Payment MUST be received within 7 days or your booking will be cancelled.
Cancellations and refunds
Should a delegate need to cancel their registration prior to 28 days before the event, a full refund will be given. Those wishing to cancel their registration will receive a 50% refund up to 14 days from the event start date. Email notification of cancellation must be received before 29 April. There will be no refund for any cancellation made within 14 days (after 29 April) from the event start date other than in the circumstances listed below.
All cancellations must be in writing, please email rebecca.norling@deernz.org
