Whether you’re just starting out with Nanas secret recipe, or already performing on the global stage, Foodtech Packtech and the Business Growth Hub, sponsored by ScotPac, have the specialist contacts, knowledge and advice to help take your business to the next level.
10:00 am - 10:45 am
Tue 2 Sep
Panel Discussion: NZFIN’s Capabilities in Product Development and Scale-Up: From Concept to Commercialisation
NZFIN (New Zealand Food Innovation Network) helps food service businesses turn bold ideas into market-ready products. With cutting-edge pilot plants, expert technologists, and flexible commercial kitchens, we support every step, from concept and recipe development to scale-up and shelf-life extension. Our facilities are designed for agile, small-to-medium batch run. Fast-track your product to market with a team that understands food, flavour, and the pace of commercial success.
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Tue 2 Sep
Are you ready to take your food or fibre business global?
Avoid costly missteps, save valuable time, and reduce. Learn the essentials, uncover common pitfalls, and walk away with tips to confidently grow your business beyond borders.
Whether you're new to exporting or looking to expand, you'll gain practical insights to help you succeed globally.
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Tue 2 Sep
How to set yourself up for success for ranging at Woolworths
This presentation is designed to give you an overview of the thought process Woolworths has when selecting products to range in its stores. It will include information giving you an outline of how to put your best foot forward when presenting new products and the thought processes involved.
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Tue 2 Sep
KEYNOTE: What will change with a move from voluntary product stewardship to mandatory?
An update on New Zealand’s voluntary Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme and the opportunities from a Plastic Packaging Product Stewardship Scheme and a wider packaging Extended Producer Responsibility framework. The presentation will also highlight global developments in packaging stewardship.
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Tue 2 Sep
Concept to Commercialisation – NPD for health and wellness products
Wellness is a key driver of consumer led innovation in 2025. Find out how to successfully navigate the pathway from concept to commercialisation for natural health products, functional foods and nutraceuticals.
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Tue 2 Sep
What goes into a label and why is it important? Does it really matter?
Building your recipe is one thing, but then creating a label from it that is compliant to FSANZ standards is another. Hear from Zubi about automation to simplify this stressful and time consuming process covering such topics as: Allergens (PEAL), declaration ordering and splitting, moisture loss impacts, rehydration, grouping, reporting and more. Versioning control for new product development is also a critical aspect of product and eventual label creation – and ensuring appropriate records are kept for auditors is key.
10:00 am - 10:45 am
Wed 3 Sep
Elevate Your Business to the Next Level With a Business Mentor
Join Sarah as she shares why having a Business Mentor can be a game-changer for your business, and how BMNZ’s network of 1,500+ volunteer Business Mentors support SMEs across the country. Learn more about the value of mentoring, from tailored guidance, to helping you grow with more confidence and direction. Wherever you are in your business journey, this is a valuable opportunity to understand how business mentoring works and what’s in it for you.
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Wed 3 Sep
KEYNOTE: Interpreting the shifts and shocks reshaping global food systems
Combine climate change, geopolitical uncertainties, disruption from emerging biological and digital technologies, the aftermath of COVID and rapidly changing consumer preferences and we are facing fundamental changes in how food is grown, processed, packaged and consumed in the coming decade. Ian will explore some of the macro trends shaping global food systems and the responses we are observing companies around the world investigating and initiating to ensure their own resilience and contribute to enhanced food security.
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Wed 3 Sep
Panel Discussion: NZFIN’s Capabilities in Product Development and Scale-Up: From Concept to Commercialisation
NZFIN (New Zealand Food Innovation Network) helps food service businesses turn bold ideas into market-ready products. With cutting-edge pilot plants, expert technologists, and flexible commercial kitchens, we support every step, from concept and recipe development to scale-up and shelf-life extension. Our facilities are designed for agile, small-to-medium batch run. Fast-track your product to market with a team that understands food, flavour, and the pace of commercial success.
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Wed 3 Sep
FoodDNA: How Innovation, AI and Strategy are Reshaping the Future of Food
In this session, Steph Sisson from Callaghan Innovation explores why traditional food innovation is broken and how we can fix it. Drawing on her Food Tech experience she unpacks the convergence of science, strategy and speed. From AI-powered product development to regulatory alignment and MVP validation, Steph reveals how emerging tools are transforming the food industry. Expect real-world examples, future-focused insights and a new blueprint for scalable, smart innovation that doesn’t just launch products, it builds what the world needs next.
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Wed 3 Sep
An overview on the regulatory oversight of new food sources and production systems
The global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion in 2050, driving the demand for a more sustainable and resilient food system. To address this challenge, new food sources and production systems (NFPS) have gained significant interest as promising solutions. NFPS encompasses a wide range of technologies and products, including cell-cultured food, precision fermentation-derived foods and genetically modified foods. The rapid development of NFPS has raised questions regarding their safety and regulatory oversight. The regulatory environment for NFPS is complex and continually evolving. At present, there is no harmonised global framework to regulate NFPS. This presentation aims to provide an overview of the regulatory oversight of NFPS, highlighting recent developments at the international, Trans-Tasman, and domestic level.
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Wed 3 Sep
From Concept to Claim – Accelerating NPD in Functional Foods and Building Scientifically Defensible Product Narratives
In the competitive landscape of functional foods and health products, speed to market is critical—but so is scientific credibility. Explore how to streamline new product development (NPD) while ensuring that health benefit claims are not only compelling but also defensible under global regulatory scrutiny.
10:00 am - 10:45 am
Thu 4 Sep
Industrial Benefits of Adopting GS1 Digital Link
This presentation explores the emergence of the GS1 Digital Link and how the Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics industries can benefit from Connected Product Information, Enhanced Traceability & Safety and Consumer Engagement.
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Thu 4 Sep
Getting Better Returns from Your Product Development
Join Saskia van der Geest for a lively, practical session on boosting the efficiency and success of your product development efforts. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls, apply the latest thinking in New Product Development (NPD), and create a consistent, profitable innovation pipeline. Saskia will share real-world insights and tools that set the stage for Lean NPD, Design Thinking, or Agile practices. You'll leave with actionable tips, draft plans, and fresh connections—ready to make your product development faster, better, and more fun. Because when NPPD flows, everyone is happy!
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Thu 4 Sep
Accessing the R&D Tax Incentive: Funding for The Future Food and Packaging Technologies
If your business is developing new or improved products or processes, you may be eligible for the R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI) — a 15% tax credit on qualifying R&D expenditure. Free guidance is available from Callaghan Innovation’s Customer Engagement team to support you through the application process.This session offers a step-by-step walkthrough of the RDTI process, you’ll learn how to:
- Enrol for RDTI through myIR portal
- Apply effectively by identifying eligible R&D activities and describing them clearly
- Keep records that meet Inland Revenue’s requirements and support your claim
- Claim your tax credit with confidence, avoiding common pitfalls
- As part of the session, we’ll also touch upon additional supports for your R&D, including the N2R&D Grant and the R&D Loss Tax Credit, these can further enhance your funding strategy.
10:00 am - 10:45 am
Tue 2 Sep
Panel Discussion: NZFIN’s Capabilities in Product Development and Scale-Up: From Concept to Commercialisation
NZFIN (New Zealand Food Innovation Network) helps food service businesses turn bold ideas into market-ready products. With cutting-edge pilot plants, expert technologists, and flexible commercial kitchens, we support every step, from concept and recipe development to scale-up and shelf-life extension. Our facilities are designed for agile, small-to-medium batch run. Fast-track your product to market with a team that understands food, flavour, and the pace of commercial success.
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Tue 2 Sep
Are you ready to take your food or fibre business global?
Avoid costly missteps, save valuable time, and reduce. Learn the essentials, uncover common pitfalls, and walk away with tips to confidently grow your business beyond borders.
Whether you're new to exporting or looking to expand, you'll gain practical insights to help you succeed globally.
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Tue 2 Sep
How to set yourself up for success for ranging at Woolworths
This presentation is designed to give you an overview of the thought process Woolworths has when selecting products to range in its stores. It will include information giving you an outline of how to put your best foot forward when presenting new products and the thought processes involved.
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Tue 2 Sep
KEYNOTE: What will change with a move from voluntary product stewardship to mandatory?
An update on New Zealand’s voluntary Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme and the opportunities from a Plastic Packaging Product Stewardship Scheme and a wider packaging Extended Producer Responsibility framework. The presentation will also highlight global developments in packaging stewardship.
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Tue 2 Sep
Concept to Commercialisation – NPD for health and wellness products
Wellness is a key driver of consumer led innovation in 2025. Find out how to successfully navigate the pathway from concept to commercialisation for natural health products, functional foods and nutraceuticals.
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Tue 2 Sep
What goes into a label and why is it important? Does it really matter?
Building your recipe is one thing, but then creating a label from it that is compliant to FSANZ standards is another. Hear from Zubi about automation to simplify this stressful and time consuming process covering such topics as: Allergens (PEAL), declaration ordering and splitting, moisture loss impacts, rehydration, grouping, reporting and more. Versioning control for new product development is also a critical aspect of product and eventual label creation – and ensuring appropriate records are kept for auditors is key.
10:00 am - 10:45 am
Wed 3 Sep
Elevate Your Business to the Next Level With a Business Mentor
Join Sarah as she shares why having a Business Mentor can be a game-changer for your business, and how BMNZ’s network of 1,500+ volunteer Business Mentors support SMEs across the country. Learn more about the value of mentoring, from tailored guidance, to helping you grow with more confidence and direction. Wherever you are in your business journey, this is a valuable opportunity to understand how business mentoring works and what’s in it for you.
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Wed 3 Sep
KEYNOTE: Interpreting the shifts and shocks reshaping global food systems
Combine climate change, geopolitical uncertainties, disruption from emerging biological and digital technologies, the aftermath of COVID and rapidly changing consumer preferences and we are facing fundamental changes in how food is grown, processed, packaged and consumed in the coming decade. Ian will explore some of the macro trends shaping global food systems and the responses we are observing companies around the world investigating and initiating to ensure their own resilience and contribute to enhanced food security.
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Wed 3 Sep
Panel Discussion: NZFIN’s Capabilities in Product Development and Scale-Up: From Concept to Commercialisation
NZFIN (New Zealand Food Innovation Network) helps food service businesses turn bold ideas into market-ready products. With cutting-edge pilot plants, expert technologists, and flexible commercial kitchens, we support every step, from concept and recipe development to scale-up and shelf-life extension. Our facilities are designed for agile, small-to-medium batch run. Fast-track your product to market with a team that understands food, flavour, and the pace of commercial success.
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Wed 3 Sep
FoodDNA: How Innovation, AI and Strategy are Reshaping the Future of Food
In this session, Steph Sisson from Callaghan Innovation explores why traditional food innovation is broken and how we can fix it. Drawing on her Food Tech experience she unpacks the convergence of science, strategy and speed. From AI-powered product development to regulatory alignment and MVP validation, Steph reveals how emerging tools are transforming the food industry. Expect real-world examples, future-focused insights and a new blueprint for scalable, smart innovation that doesn’t just launch products, it builds what the world needs next.
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Wed 3 Sep
An overview on the regulatory oversight of new food sources and production systems
The global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion in 2050, driving the demand for a more sustainable and resilient food system. To address this challenge, new food sources and production systems (NFPS) have gained significant interest as promising solutions. NFPS encompasses a wide range of technologies and products, including cell-cultured food, precision fermentation-derived foods and genetically modified foods. The rapid development of NFPS has raised questions regarding their safety and regulatory oversight. The regulatory environment for NFPS is complex and continually evolving. At present, there is no harmonised global framework to regulate NFPS. This presentation aims to provide an overview of the regulatory oversight of NFPS, highlighting recent developments at the international, Trans-Tasman, and domestic level.
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Wed 3 Sep
From Concept to Claim – Accelerating NPD in Functional Foods and Building Scientifically Defensible Product Narratives
In the competitive landscape of functional foods and health products, speed to market is critical—but so is scientific credibility. Explore how to streamline new product development (NPD) while ensuring that health benefit claims are not only compelling but also defensible under global regulatory scrutiny.
10:00 am - 10:45 am
Thu 4 Sep
Industrial Benefits of Adopting GS1 Digital Link
This presentation explores the emergence of the GS1 Digital Link and how the Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics industries can benefit from Connected Product Information, Enhanced Traceability & Safety and Consumer Engagement.
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Thu 4 Sep
Getting Better Returns from Your Product Development
Join Saskia van der Geest for a lively, practical session on boosting the efficiency and success of your product development efforts. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls, apply the latest thinking in New Product Development (NPD), and create a consistent, profitable innovation pipeline. Saskia will share real-world insights and tools that set the stage for Lean NPD, Design Thinking, or Agile practices. You'll leave with actionable tips, draft plans, and fresh connections—ready to make your product development faster, better, and more fun. Because when NPPD flows, everyone is happy!
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Thu 4 Sep
Accessing the R&D Tax Incentive: Funding for The Future Food and Packaging Technologies
If your business is developing new or improved products or processes, you may be eligible for the R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI) — a 15% tax credit on qualifying R&D expenditure. Free guidance is available from Callaghan Innovation’s Customer Engagement team to support you through the application process.This session offers a step-by-step walkthrough of the RDTI process, you’ll learn how to:
- Enrol for RDTI through myIR portal
- Apply effectively by identifying eligible R&D activities and describing them clearly
- Keep records that meet Inland Revenue’s requirements and support your claim
- Claim your tax credit with confidence, avoiding common pitfalls
- As part of the session, we’ll also touch upon additional supports for your R&D, including the N2R&D Grant and the R&D Loss Tax Credit, these can further enhance your funding strategy.
