2023 Te Ara Miraka Conference - Maximising the value of Te Ara Miraka

This year's conference will focus on 'Maximising the value of Te Ara Miraka' and is tailored to help our valued farmer suppliers get the most out of the Te Ara Miraka programme.  

You will hear from our expert guest speakers who’ll provide relevant and practical advice about improving milk quality; how to develop (and retain) quality staff and; diversifying on-farm to add value to your operations and productivity.

Join your fellow suppliers, key stakeholders and our experts for a meaningful session about topics of relevance and importance to your farm and team!

Important information - Conference Venue: Te Pae o Tuaropaki - Tuaropaki Ngaire George  Sustainability Centre, 1127 Forest Road, Mokai (Opposite the glasshouses)

For health & safety reasons - please wear closed footwear and note that smoking and vaping is not permitted on the grounds of the Ngaire George Sustainability Centre.

Thanks to Tuaropaki Trust for allowing us to hold our conference at 'Te Pae o Tuaropaki' a modern building onsite within the grounds of their Ngaire George Sustainability Centre. This is located at 1127 Forest Road, Mokai.  Entry to the Ngaire George Sustainability Centre is immediately opposite the Gourmet Mokai glass houses.

SPEAKERS & PRESENTERS

Josh Wheeler - Chief Operating Officer, QCONZ

Josh has worked for QCONZ since 1999 and has extensive experience, both in New Zealand and internationally, working in areas of Milk Quality and Milking Efficiency.  

Josh is currently the COO at QCONZ but still spends a lot of his time involved in supporting farmers to improve milking efficiency and milk quality. Over the last few years Josh has played a significant role in researching, designing and implementing more efficient milking routines in NZ.

Nick Coster - General Manager, No8HR

Nick is the General Manager of No8HR a 20+ year Agri People business that specialise in growing sector leaders and on-farm best practice.

The primary sector is unique in the challenges it faces and No8’s mission is to provide workable, realistic and tangible outcomes for NZ farmers.

Stu Muir - Chairman, Endangered Species Foundation

Stu and his wife Kim farm on the northern bank of the Waikato River Delta just south of Waiuku, milking 500 cows in a split calving system.  

He has a background in local and regional governance with experience in river restoration and environmental management, with over 25 years in the agri-business sector strategy and planning.  Innovation in the farming business and environmental restoration have been a constant focus over the years.  In particular, a whitebait habitat restoration project that has gained national and international recognition.

Collaboration with key stakeholders such as Iwi, Doc, Niwa, Dairy NZ, Fonterra, universities, Landcare groups, government and councils is at the forefront all that we do. Stu is currently the Chair of the Endangered Species Foundation, government appointed deputy co-chair of the Waikato River Authority, committee organizer for Dairy Environmental Leaders Forum and a trustee of many other environmental organisations.

Stu is an advisor and educator to school and university groups, seeking to improve their environmental and conservation impact and participation.

He graduated from Otago University majoring in New Zealand history, Stu has travelled extensively around the world and has extended the farming business to incorporate eco-tourism.

Having been brought up alongside local kaumatua, Stu is conversant in te reo maori and is passionate about working together to get better outcomes for our communities and environment.