People Expo - Manawatu

Are you a dairy farmer that employs or manages people in Manawatu?
Join us at the People Expo symposium for the opportunity to hear from thought leaders on what’s needed to help tackle the big issues in employing and keeping people on dairy farms. You’ll gain insights from experts, have the opportunity to connect with other farmers facing the same challenges, and come away armed with inspiration and practical tips to put in action for your farm team.

When:
9.30am Registration
10.00am Start
2.15pm Finish

Where: Bush Multisport, 57 Huxley Street, Pahiatua

It’s free to attend, but a ticket is essential. Lunch is provided.

Delivered in partnership with


More about the speakers:

Shamubeel Eaqub - leading economist

Shamubeel will speak to global, national, and regional economic and workforce changes and outline why farm businesses must act differently and look in new places to stay successful. The NZ dairy story has been built on productivity and efficiency but how do you keep that up?

Sue & David Fish - Westmorland Estate Limited dairy farming business

Westmorland Estate LTD is a family owned and operated dairy farm business with three farms in the Waikato with a motto of ‘Together WE succeed’. Owners Sue and David Fish focus on the ethos of teamwork and how they empower their team to deliver results and efficiencies for the farm through training and creating a workplace that promotes a work-life balance. Hear why and how.

Chris Parsons – A decorated leader in the NZ Defence Force & current Chief Commercial Officer of My Farm

Chris will share his story of teamwork and leadership in the NZ Defence Force including special forces missions (for which he was decorated three times), and leading multiple organisational transformations. More recently he was CEO of Rural Leaders NZ and in a volunteer capacity part of a small virtual team who successfully helped evacuate 563 Afghans to NZ in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover. Leadership in action.

How will this event benefit me and my business?

Finding and keeping people to work in dairy is a challenge. It is a challenge for all sectors. And that challenge is only going to increase as our population ages and people have more choices.

The People Expo is about giving you information to better understand workforce dynamics, ideas on actions you can take right now and inspiration to get you going. Leading people is tough, it is also necessary for good farm business management, and highly rewarding when you get it right. The People Expo can help set you, or get you back, on the right path.

Who should attend?

All dairy farmers and rural professionals who support dairy farmers are welcome.

The people who will benefit most are:

Business owners (including those who may not be involved in the day to day running of the farm)
Employers of farm staff
Managers keen to further their leadership skills to lead their team(s)
2ICs and aspiring/new people managers
Employees who consider themselves future leaders
How is the day structured?

The day is designed to challenge, inspire and inform. It is fast paced because your time is valuable. Registration is from 9.30am and the day will finish at 2.15pm.

Each speaker will present followed by a workshop component. The workshops are to dig deeper into what the learnings are for you, your business and the dairy community.

Is it free to attend?

Yes, the People Expo is hosted by DairyNZ and Dairy Women’s Network and is free to attend. Lunch is provided.