New Zealand Agriculture & Climate Change Conference 2026

A climate and energy communicator, Eloise Gibson is an award-winning journalist who has spent her career reporting on climate change, science and the economy. She was New Zealand’s first Climate Change Correspondent at RNZ, the country’s first dedicated Climate Change Editor at Stuff, and the inaugural science and environment editor at Newsroom. Her work has earned multiple Voyager Media Awards, including Business Reporter of the Year, Environmental Journalist of the Year and Science Journalist of the Year, as well as recognition for reporting on ethical finance.

Eloise’s reporting has appeared internationally in outlets such as BBC Future, BBC Earth and Bloomberg Businessweek. A Fulbright scholar with a Master’s in Science Journalism from Columbia University, she brings deep subject knowledge and a strong grounding in evidence.

She offers a clear, independent perspective on how climate and agricultural issues are interpreted by the public; and on how to communicate complex science in a way that is both clear and trusted.

Alexander Hillary is General Manager of the Himalayan Trust and grandson of legendary mountaineer Edmund Hillary. Through his work, he continues a family legacy built on exploration, resilience, and practical problem-solving in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

Hillary has spent much of his life in remote landscapes, from New Zealand’s high country to the polar regions, developing a deep appreciation for the people and communities who live and work closely with the land. In his role with the Himalayan Trust, he supports long-standing development work in Nepal, helping strengthen education, health, and community resilience across Himalayan communities.

He is also a patron of Hillary Outdoors, helping inspire young New Zealanders to build confidence, leadership, and environmental awareness through outdoor education. Alexander is also an Inspiring Explorer with the Antarctic Heritage Trust.

Drawing on these experiences, Alex speaks about leadership, responsibility and the discipline required to pursue ambitious goals. He brings an aspirational yet grounded perspective on perseverance, stewardship and the role individuals and communities play in shaping a positive future.

Melissa Clark-Reynolds is a futurist and technology entrepreneur who works with leaders to make sense of rapid change and turn emerging trends into practical strategy. Trained by the Institute for the Future and appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the technology industry, she brings both global perspective and hands-on business experience.

Melissa has advised organisations ranging from Spark and IAG to NASA and Australian Pork, helping them navigate digital disruption, risk, and long-term transformation. She is known for cutting through hype, asking hard questions and providing clear frameworks that support better decisions.

In a sector facing accelerating advances in artificial intelligence, Melissa offers a grounded view of what is real, what is coming, and what matters most. She will unpack what the rise of AI means for agriculture and outline what leaders should be acting on now to stay ahead and accountable.

Peter Lund obtained his PhD from The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark, and is currently Head of the Ruminant Nutrition section and professor in Sustainable Dairy Production at Aarhus University, Denmark, a position which is in collaboration with Arla. The research scope is the development of new technologies that can promote the green transition of agriculture and the development of a more sustainable livestock production with a key interest in inter-disciplinarily, i.e., the interplay between feed production, nutrition, rumen microbiome, genetics, and product quality. His research area is ruminant nutrition with emphasis on feed additives and feeding strategies that can facilitate significant reductions in enteric methane.

A key research area has been the use of Bovaer in a Danish setting and quantification of reduction potential and potential side-effects. He collaborates with different stakeholders such as Arla, Nestle, Danish Crown, Novozymes, and DSM. He gives advice to public authorities on the climate and environmental impact of cattle production with special emphasis on feeding strategies to reduce enteric methane, and inclusion of such strategies in the national inventory system. He is the Danish representative in the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA Livestock) and in the adjacent Feed and Nutrition Network. He will share insights from European research and the role of nutrition-based solutions in reducing livestock methane emissions.

Brendan O’Connell is Chief Executive of AgriTech New Zealand, the industry body connecting innovators, researchers, investors and policymakers working to advance agricultural technology. He leads the organisation’s work to strengthen New Zealand’s agritech ecosystem and support the development and adoption of technologies that improve farm productivity and environmental performance.

O’Connell trained as a mechanical engineer and has built an international career spanning product innovation, business development and technology commercialisation across sectors including biomedical devices, telecommunications and agritech. Before joining AgriTech New Zealand, he held senior roles at Tru-Test Group, where he helped shape the company’s growth strategy and identify new technology opportunities for the livestock sector.

With a global perspective and a strong background in innovation-led businesses, O’Connell focuses on how technology can help agriculture respond to evolving environmental, market and productivity challenges. He will share insights on the role of agritech in enabling practical, scalable solutions for farmers.

Delegates can choose from a selection of nearby hotels, all within easy walking distance of Tākina Events, offering convenience, comfort, and exclusive rates for attendees. If you require accommodation simply: 

Click on the link for your preferred hotel to book your stay.

For Oaks Wellington and QT Wellington, please enter the provided discount code during booking to receive the special rate.

Complete your booking directly with the hotel.

🏨 Microtel by Wyndham Wellington | 25 Vivian Street

Walking distance: 11mins (800m)
Book accommodation at Microtel today

🏨 Oaks Wellington | 89 Courtenay Place

Walking distance: 6mins (400m)
Website: Hotels in Wellington New Zealand | Oaks Wellington Hotel Official Site
Discount Code: EVENT15

🏨Ramada by Wyndham Wellington | 123 Taranaki Street

Walking distance: 11mins (700m)
Book accommodation at Ramada today

🏨TRYP by Wyndham Wellington | 15 Tory Street

Walking distance: 4mins (280m) 
Book accommodation at TRYP today

🏨 QT Wellington, Museum Apartment | 90 Cable Street

Walking distance: 2mins (170m)
Website: QT Hotels & Resorts | Luxury Boutique Hotel Accommodation
Discount Code: NZACC26