Mon
@ Chateau
09
Young Achiever’s Muster
A dedicated session for those who make the Award possible — our Award partners (sponsors) — offering a unique opportunity to connect with alumni and engage with the next generation of agricultural leaders
Venue: Camelot Room
1:00
Registration
1:30 -
4:30
When the Ground Shifts: Leading Through Disruption on the Land
In this three-hour, hands-on workshop, participants will share experiences, build confidence, and learn practical tools for navigating disruption — from everyday pressures to major events such as storms, floods, and other disasters. Explore how recovery really works after disruptive events and gain strategies to respond, adapt, and get back on your feet. Through lively discussion, reflective activities, and real-world examples, the session draws on global and local leadership lessons that help make sense of tough times. Connect with others, strengthen collaboration, and build the mindsets that steady you, your farm, your business, for whatever comes next.
Monday Evening
5:00
Registration - Hotel Foyer
6:00
Welcome
Pop into the Little Red Fox Bar near the hotel reception for a drink and a chat with your fellow attendees. If you’re thinking about dinner at the hotel, don’t forget to book a table at the Garden Court Brasserie — reservations are essential!
Tues
@ Chateau
10
Impact Summit Day One
Venue: The Great Hall
8:00
Registration - Hotel Foyer
8:30
Welcome and Introduction to the Summit
Day One Presentations, including Q&A time at the end of each session
8:50
Climbing Grit Mountain: Leading When the Disruption Doesn’t End
Make the most of the hand we’re dealt, together. Drawing on her experience in disaster recovery and leadership, Elizabeth reframes grit as something we design, not just endure. Along the way, she uses laughter as an unexpectedly honest signal of how you’re really tracking. Be more prepared, more connected, and tooled up for whatever may come your way.
9:45
Setting your Business up to Win
What business practices and philosophies are required for businesses to not only survive but to succeed in this volatile and uncertain world? Drawing from his range of business experience across multiple businesses and industries, Richard will talk about what he has observed in resilient and successful businesses and leaders.
10:45
Morning Tea - Camelot Room
11:15
Whanau, Whenua, and Whakapapa – Farming Families, the Land, and Our Legacy
How united communities can share resources and accelerate recovery following devastating events.
12:00
A Sit Down with Don McDonald: MDH Legacy and Ag Leadership
Join Don as he shares the fascinating history and pioneering spirit behind MDH's rise in the Ag sector. From innovation catalysts and hard-won successes to key lessons learned, Don opens up on navigating opportunities and challenges in today's dynamic farming landscape. Gain leadership insights from a true industry trailblazer, plus a few unforgettable tales from the front lines of Australian agriculture. An informal chat with Greg Pankhurst, a long-time family friend, Award mentor, board member, and owner Lampung Livestock.
1:00
Lunch - Camelot Room
2:15
Halter Unleashed: From Kiwi Dairy Roots to Global Game-Changer
Join Craig, Halter's founder and CEO, as he unpacks the journey from a Kiwi dairy farm startup to the global stage, revolutionising pasture farming with smart collars and virtual fencing. Discover how Halter scaled to serve thousands of farms across NZ, Australia and the US —plus key lessons for AgTech innovators. Perfect for NZ/AUS farmers eyeing sustainable productivity growth.
3:00
When Winning Is Just the Beginning
In this presentation, Nancy and Tessa talk about how a single moment of recognition can shape what comes next. They’ll reflect on the doors the Award opened, the growth that followed and how early success can be channelled into meaningful, ongoing impact.
3:40
Meet the Award's Finalists for 2026
A quick fire introduction to the 2026 finalists:
NZ: Chloe Butcher-Herries, Karn Dhaliwal, Lana Marshall
Australia: Nicholas Van den Berg, Caitlin Crowe, Bryce Neyland
4:05
Head to the Camelot Room, grab a drink, and pull up a chair for the next session.
4:30
Milk, Money & the Mood of the Nation
Pull up a chair and hear insights on dairy, the economy and New Zealand’s outlook.
5:15
It's a Wrap Day One
Zanda McDonald Award Celebration Dinner
Chateau on the Park - The Great Hall
6:15
Pre-dinner drinks and canapes
7:00 -
11:00
Join us for a very special evening of good company, shared pride and celebration as we announce the 2026 Zanda McDonald Award winners.
Dress code: Semiformal
Wed
@ Chateau
11
6:30 -
7:15
Kickstart in the Park: a fun, challenging morning fitness session in Hagley Park, with NZ's 2024 Award winner Nancy Crawshaw, proving that from solid foundations, we rise (no gym membership required)!
Impact Summit Day Two
Venue: The Great Hall
Day Two Presentations, including Q&A time at the end of each session
8:45
Leaft Foods: Bringing a Step-Change to Land Use Productivity
Maury outlines how Leaft Foods is challenging conventional land use models to dramatically lift productivity while aligning with environmental and economic realities.
9:45
Rupture and Challenge: Trade Policy in the New World Trade (Dis) Order
This presentation considers the rupture of the international trading system and offers a perspective on what may lie ahead and how trading nations need to respond.
10:30
Morning Tea - Camelot Room
11:15
Technology (Alone) isn’t the Answer
Technology has enormous potential in farming - but only when it is grounded in strong foundations, trusted data, and the capability to turn insight into action. Drawing on Pāmu’s transformation journey, this session explores why technology investments must be business-led, not tool-led.
12:00
From Ruin to Resilience: Creaing Value When Everything Changes
Drawing on his experience transforming a rugged, historically difficult hill-country station into a diversified and thriving enterprise that blends sustainable farming, eco-tourism, conservation and value-added products, Dan shares how embracing change, working with the land rather than against it, and diversifying income streams have helped him build resilience and create enduring value in Blue Duck Station.
12:45
Lunch - Camelot Room
1:45
Ready or Not? Leadership Succession in a New Era.
In business, succession conversations often focus on capital and structures — but leadership transition is just as critical, and far less discussed. When and how should the next generation (family or otherwise) step into real authority in a business: managing people, leading key relationships, owning strategic decisions? And what does meaningful leadership look like for those stepping back, without stepping away?
2:30
People First, Results Follow: Building Foundations for Sustainable Growth
Strong results are built on solid foundations. Zion shares leadership lessons from a journey that began in New Zealand and reached the global stage. Drawing on experience leading teams through growth, change and pressure, Zion explores what it means to put people first when it matters most. This session offers ideas you can apply on the farm, in your business, and in your community to build teams and results that last.
3:30
Solid Foundations Under Fire: Leadership Forged in Adversity
Jamie draws on nearly two decades with the NZSAS, including leading a key assault during the 2011 Taliban siege of Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel, to reveal how leadership is built, tested, and proven under extreme pressure. From elite military operations to mentoring future leaders, Jamie shares hard-earned lessons on resilience, accountability, and the foundations required to lead when it matters most.
4:45
It's a Wrap
James Robertson, MC & Shane McManaway, Award Chair
Picnic in the Park: Farewell Feast
Ilex Cafe, Hagley Park
6:30 -
9:30
Take a leisurely 10–15 minute walk (or hop in a taxi) through Hagley Park to the Ilex Café. Catch up with friends old and new, and enjoy local produce in the light-filled conservatory, with views over the expansive lawns and the adjacent botanical gardens. Cash bar available.
Thurs
12
Canterbury Agri-Insights Tour (optional - ticket required)
Step out onto the land on our Agri-Insights Tour, a rolling rural coach experience designed to showcase innovation in action across the region’s dynamic agri-tech and primary production sectors.
The day begins at Lincoln University, where Lincoln Agritech will share insights into cutting-edge research and technology shaping the future of agriculture.
We'll then head to the welcoming Tai Tapu Hotel for a shared lunch (with the possibility of a surprise guest speaker, offering local perspectives).
In the afternoon, coordinated by Matt Iremonger, we’ll visit a progressive dairy farm featuring barn facilities and Halter technology, a hill-country sheep and beef operation, and a large-scale irrigated cropping enterprise, all bringing Canterbury’s blend of innovation, sustainability and practical farm management vividly to life.
Join us for a day of insight, connection and on-the-ground inspiration. Depart from the Chateau on the Park.
8:00 -
5:00