by Peter Wren-Hilton | Jan 25, 2022 | Events
It’s with deep regret that AgriFutures Australia has had to announce the cancellation of the 2022 evoke AG. conference in Sydney on 15 March.
Whilst it is disappointing that the region’s agrifood tech community will not be able to connect in person, the health and wellbeing of the evokeAG .community – delegates, speakers, event staff and suppliers – is the most important priority. Given the current COVID outbreak in NSW, now is not the time to place unnecessary pressure on frontline workers, the healthcare system, and supply chain. This is a time to be thinking of others and placing the community at the heart of everything we do.
As a member of the evokeAG steering committee, I fully support the decision. I also acknowledge the sterling work done by the team at AgriFutures and the impact of making such a decision can have. It’s a very unfortunate sign of the times that those of us in New Zealand know only too well. Since our own move to Traffic Light Red on Sunday, my Inbox has been slammed with news of postponed and cancelled events across New Zealand over the coming weeks. These surely are challenging times.
Looking ahead, Wharf42 is looking forward to working with the AgriFutures evokeAG team, as major sponsors of the 2035 Oceania Summit. We are working to bring both New Zealand and Australia’s emerging agrifood tech ecosystem together to discuss one of the world’s biggest long-term challenges; how to support farmers and growers across the globe continue to produce nutritious and affordable food in the face of our changing climate. Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing details across our social media platforms about some significant developments in this space.
It’s a challenge that COVID will not slow down.
by Peter Wren-Hilton | Aug 23, 2021 | Events
I’m delighted to be speaking at tomorrow’s New Zealand – Korea Technology Roadshow 2021. The New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea are hosting the two-day (virtual) tech roadshow tomorrow and on Thursday. Its purpose is to provide New Zealand technology companies with the opportunity to present to, and connect with, some of Korea’s leading partners, investors, industry players and businesses.
I’ve posted this before. What strikes me is that NZ Inc. is providing New Zealand tech companies with both great introductions and potential access points to the Korea market. The roadshow will hear supporting messages from both the Mayor of Seoul and the head of the Seoul Invest Centre. As New Zealand technology companies look to diversify and expand their Asia engagement strategies, this Korea Technology Roadshow ticks the boxes.
Why Korea?
- The world’s 9th largest economy
- The world’s leading digital infrastructure
- Innovation and high skilled workforce
- Ideal global test bed
- Business hub of North East Asia
- Booming e-commerce market
- Business friendly frameworks
Tomorrow, I’ve been asked to talk about New Zealand’s agritech transformation. I’m delighted to be joining Stephen Blair, the NZ Trade Commissioner to Korea who will be talking about the Global Trend and Korea’s Opportunities. Over the next two days, different New Zealand government agencies including New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, Callaghan Innovation & MFAT will be taking part in the roadshow.
For me, the most exciting session will be tomorrow’s Session 2 when a number of New Zealand companies present to the online audience. Thanks to the Kiwi Chamber for the invite and Gina Park for her collaboration & support. If you would like to attend the roadshow from the comfort of your home, the cost is free. For registration details, just email kiwitechseoul@gmail.com
I very much hope you can join the team tomorrow!
by Peter Wren-Hilton | Jul 20, 2021 | Events
Overnight, the South Australian government introduced increased community restrictions because of 2 new COVID-19 cases in the State. At about 7.00pm (NZT), I received a call from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) advising me that Friday’s AdvanceAg conference had been postponed.
From a personal perspective, I have to admit – the news sucked.
I’ve been looking forward to catching up with South Australia’s agritech community for some time. Back in October 2020, the South Australian AgTech Advisory Group published the South Australian AgTech Strategic Plan, on behalf of the South Australian government. We were due to meet for breakfast on Thursday. On Wednesday evening, I had been invited to speak at an Adelaide AgTech Meetup meeting, whilst on Thursday, Elders, Australia’s largest rural services group, had invited a number of guests to a 2-hour presentation and Q&A session at their Adelaide HQ.
Like Friday’s AdvanceAg conference, all postponed until a later date.
My immediate thoughts are with those effected by both the pandemic and the impact of border closures, lockdowns and community restrictions. Last night’s call however also reinforced in my mind the importance and need to strengthen the framework for increased trans-Tasman collaboration in the AgriFoodTech space. The major global challenges that I had planned to focus on at Friday’s conference; food security, climate and the planning for a future agricultural workforce, have not gone away. These challenges will continue to grow and the time to tackle them is now, not at some unknown ‘later date’.
Despite last night’s news, I am already looking ahead to my next trip across the ditch. As an unpaid banker to Qantas and Air New Zealand, I now have enough airpoint credits to get me from Tauranga to Perth and back. Twice. So no excuse. Strengthening the trans-Tasman framework is a key priority and I look forward to working with partners and friends on both sides of the Tasman to make it happen.
by Peter Wren-Hilton | Jul 14, 2021 | Events
On 25-26 August, the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea will be hosting a two-day (virtual) tech roadshow. Its purpose is to provide New Zealand technology companies with the opportunity to present to, and connect with, some of Korea’s leading partners, investors, industry players and businesses.
Why Korea?
- The world’s 9th largest economy
- The world’s leading digital infrastructure
- Innovation and high skilled workforce
- Ideal global test bed
- Business hub of North East Asia
- Booming e-commerce market
- Business friendly frameworks
The New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea (‘The Kiwi Chamber’) are seeking expressions of interest from New Zealand technology companies in the agritech, AI, cleantech and fintech spaces. New Zealand companies working in these areas are highly valued in Korea and the opportunity to develop collaborative partnerships is real.
If you want to learn more, please contact Gina Park of the Kiwi Chamber at kiwitechseoul@gmail.com
Alternatively, please complete the Expression of Interest Form here.
I look forward to joining the team (remotely) on the 25th. I hope you can to!
by Peter Wren-Hilton | Jul 13, 2021 | Events
As Wharf42 increases its focus on leveraging agrifood technologies to tackle both agricultural production and agrifood supply chain greenhouse gas emissions, we are delighted to be able to support this fantastic initiative as an ‘Official Collaborator’ with the team at Spacebase.
Spacebase, in collaboration with Planet has announced the launch of the Space for Planet Earth Challenge. The Challenge is seeking innovative ideas to address carbon sequestration and coral health in the region. You can join the opening kick-off event on 2 August in Christchurch (either in person, or via livestream). You can register your interest here.
The text below is taken from the Spacebase website. It resonates fully with Wharf42’s own values and mission to address our changing climate. A very sincere High 5 to Eric & Emeline for their enthusiasm and endeavour in supporting the build of New Zealand’s emerging space technology ecosystem. This Challenge is a great endorsement of that work.
A Climate Emergency
We are in a climate emergency. Without any intervention, the planet may be 4 to 5 degrees warmer by the end of the century, rendering much of the planet mostly uninhabitable with extreme weather, sea level rise, and mass extinctions of life. We have an urgent need to work together and engage a broader community of researchers and innovators in the region to address the problems created by climate change.
Today, we have unprecedented access to satellite remote sensing data and technologies that can help us better detect, monitor and measure these changes. The computational capability to analyze this data today is critical in making better management decisions and creating policies to reverse the damage caused to the Planet.
Leveraging Satellite Data
Satellite remote sensing has been the principal method of monitoring the impact of climate change. New satellite data, and wider access to computing and analysis tools, are enabling researchers to develop new solutions. Setting out a specific climate related challenge, with a deadline, would provide an incentive to researchers and innovators to translate research into practical tools and also encourage new teams to develop their skills to address these challenges.
The prize challenge can be used to reward successful advances in the state-of-the-art while creating opportunities for space education and outreach, and stimulate economic growth and development in the sector.
The Challenge
There are two challenges aimed at two levels; University / Startup &High School.
University/Startup Level
Carbon Sequestration
Using satellite data, in combination with other data sources, help develop verifiable methods to measure carbon sequestration on land and in coastal areas.
High School Level
Coral Health
Help improve the monitoring of coral health changes due to climate change using satellite technology.
Excited by the opportunity? Then tune in to the official opening on 2 August and register your interest here.
by Peter Wren-Hilton | Jun 30, 2021 | Events
I’m delighted to have been invited by Ireland’s All Business Post Group to take part in their Agritech Global Leaders Forum. It forms part of a new programme being developed called the SEED Summit.
It’s a virtual event and takes place next Thursday – 8 July.
The SEED Summit series of agritech events is the first time these events have been curated in such a format. The Global Leaders Forum session looks at the visionary and potential disruptive developments in agritech as the sector revolutionises agricultural and food output. I’m delighted to be sharing the platform with Hadar Sutovsky, Vice President External Innovation, ICL Group, Israel and Theo Kanellos, Director Business Development and Allliances, Zoetis International.
The Summit organisers’ recognise New Zealand as being a global leader in agritech ecosystem development. As national agritech ecosystems begin to form across the world, including the nascent Agritech Ireland, creating a global network of connected entrepreneurs, investors and corporates becomes more important.
New Zealand’s presence and input at the Summit is enhanced by Brendan O’Connell, CEO of AgritechNZ, who will be talking about agricultural innovations that solve real problems. Brendan will be joined by Cathal Fitzgerald, Senior Investment Director Food and Agriculture, Ireland Strategic Investment Fund. Cathal visited New Zealand back in June 2018 as part of a Farm2050 delegation and attended the launch of AgritechNZ at Mills Reef Winery in Tauranga. It’s great to see that linkage continuing!
Next Thursday’s event is expected to attract leading CEOs of Irish and international agribusinesses, policy influencers in Europe and key global institutions, as well as the leading academics leading the advancement of research in the sector. The All Business Post Group has a solid reputation for curating a number of Ireland’s leading conferences and events.
To register for next week’s Global Leaders Forum, visit www.sat3summit.com
