Sponsored by:

CAMERON BAGRIE
Economist

Independent and unflinchingly direct, Cameron Bagrie is one of New Zealand’s most recognisable economic voices.

With more than two decades of experience analysing financial markets and government policy, Cameron has earned a reputation for cutting through the noise and delivering sharp, practical insights into the forces shaping the economy.

Cameron’s career includes over 18 years with the National Bank and ANZ, where he served as Chief Economist for 11.5 years. Under his leadership, ANZ’s economics team became the most trusted in the business and financial community, known for its robust, clear-eyed analysis of the New Zealand economy. Earlier in his career, he spent three and a half years at the New Zealand Treasury, contributing to national-level policy and forecasting.

Today, Cameron leads Bagrie Economics, a boutique research consultancy providing independent economic insight across business, government and the media. He remains a sought-after commentator, widely respected for his no-nonsense, jargon-free style and ability to make complex economic concepts understandable.

From inflation and interest rates to housing, global trends, and fiscal policy, Cameron brings a pragmatic, real-world lens to every topic, refusing to be boxed in by ideology and always focused on what the data really means.

View his website

HON MARK PATTERSON
NZ First Minister for Rural Communities, Associate Minister for Agriculture and Associate Minister for Regional Development

Mark is a current Member of Parliament within the New Zealand First Caucus, and is the Minister for Rural Communities, Associate Minister for Agriculture and Associate Minister for Regional Development. Mark previously served as a Member of Parliament within the New Zealand First Caucus from 2017-2020.

Mark is an Otago sheep and beef farmer with more than 30 years of farming experience under his belt. Known as the ‘Minister for Wool’, he is an ambassador for strong-wool and actively supports the reinvigoration of the NZ woollen fibre industry and raise farmer returns.

From 2021-2023 he was the Chair of Otago Federated Farmers. Locally, Mark has a long background of community involvement and has contributed to significant community projects in roles such as Chair of the Lawrence to Waihola Cycle Trail, and Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Century Farms committee.

Sponsored by:

DUNCAN GARNER - Gala Dinner Speaker
Journalist & Podcaster

Duncan Garner is a prominent New Zealand broadcaster and journalist with more than two decades of experience across radio and television. Known for his direct interviewing style and sharp political commentary, he has hosted major current affairs programmes including The AM Show and drive-time radio on Today FM. Garner began his career as a political reporter, earning a reputation for breaking stories and holding leaders to account. In recent years he has launched independent digital platforms and podcasts, continuing to shape national conversations on politics, business and social issues with insight, energy and edge.

Presentation Synopsis

Duncan Garner has covered every election since 1993 - this one may be our most crucial yet. Election 2026 comes at us like no other, continue with another 3 years of trying to get back on track or go with a mix of Labour, the Greens and Te Pati Maori. Chloe Swarbrick as Finance Minister.? A wealth tax, Capital Gains tax? Billions in new taxes. The choice is stark - we either cut spending or hike taxes.

SARA STICKLER
President & CEO, Global Cold Chain Alliance

Sara Goodman-Stickler is President and CEO of the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), the leading international association representing the temperature-controlled warehousing, transportation and logistics industry. She assumed the role in September 2024 and leads GCCA’s mission to support and advance the global cold chain through advocacy, education, research and industry collaboration. 

Sara brings extensive experience in association leadership, strategy and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on strengthening industries through collaboration, education and organisational growth.

GRAHAM HARVEY
Board Chair RWTA & Global Vice President Quality, Safety & Sustainability NewCold

Graham is the board chair of the Refrigerated Warehouse Transport Association of Australia (RWTA).

NewCold is an international cold storage company and a global leader in developing and operating highly automated cold stores. With a Head Office in the Netherlands, NewCold are the fastest growing specialist in automated cold storage, with world-class and energy efficient systems, making it stand out from conventional cold storage companies.

NewCold has a global network with 12 locations on three continents and 230 employees across APAC. Graham is responsible for full financial and operational performance of the regional business, customer relationship management and business development, reporting to the CEO, based in the Netherlands.

DOUG SECCOMBE
Managing Director APAC, Americold & Board Member, RWTA

Doug has been with Americold since 1995 and has deep expertise in the industry.

With a CPA background, Doug worked in Americold’s accounting and finance team before transitioning into operations in 1998. Doug has led Americold’s QSR, Transportation and Retail Operations in Australia and New Zealand. He has helped establish and drive forward a strong and successful culture of customer service, operational performance, and compliance.

Doug commenced as Americold’s Managing Director APAC in 2024.

He is also a board member of the Refrigerated Warehouse Transport Association of Australia (RWTA).

KATE SCOTT
Chief Executive Officer, Horticulture New Zealand

Kate (Ngai Tahu) is a seasoned agribusiness professional with 20 years of experience in resource management, environmental policy, and stakeholder engagement. She has held leadership roles as Executive Director of Landpro, Deputy Chair of Thriving Southland, and Chair of the New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust.

A 2018 Nuffield Scholar and 2023 Rabobank Emerging Leader awardee, Kate holds a BA in Geography & Political Science from Victoria University and has completed the Harvard Business School's Leading Professional Service Firms program and the Institute of Directors Governance Development Programme.

DON CLELAND
Professor of Process Engineering, Massey University

Don is semi-retired after 40 years at Massey University, most recently as Professor of Process Engineering. He has more than 40 years research, consultancy and training experience in refrigeration, heat pumping, design and optimisation, food processing and preservation, energy management and energy efficiency.

Don has significant experience in the US, the UK and Australia and has authored/co-authored more than 160 peer-reviewed scientific publications in international journals and conference proceedings.

GEOFF & CATHY YOUNG
Trusted Advisor Network

Most leaders believe they understand their team. The reality is, they’re often leading based on assumption, not insight......and that’s where performance starts to slip. In highly operational environments, it’s not systems or process holding teams back. It’s behaviour. How people communicate, respond under pressure and interact day to day. 

In this session, Geoff and Cathy Young will challenge the way you think about team performance and uncover the hidden behaviour patterns impacting your results. You’ll discover the tools that provide a practical way to understand your people, reduce friction and lift performance where it matters most.  If you’re serious about improving performance, this is the starting point.

View their website