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2025 Conference Programme

Plastics New Zealand's 79th Annual Conference is occurring on the 15th - 16th May in Auckland, New Zealand.

All Members and Non-Members are welcome to attend
 

 

Plastics New Zealand 79th Annual Conference 
15th – 16th May 2025, Ellerslie Event Centre, Auckland
"Innovation & Resilence in the NZ Plastics Industry"

(Draft Programme:  Updated 20th April 2025 - Further details will be confirmed as Speakers & Topics are finalised)

Find out more about our speakers here

Wednesday 14 May 2025

12.00pm   Pre-Conference Golf - Howick Golf Club, Musick Point, Howick Kindly sponsored by BASF

7.00pm     Free evening for Delegates

Thursday 15 May 2025

Conference Plenary Sessions Day 1 - Ellerslie Event Centre

 8:00 am

 Registration Opens
 Day 1 Coffee Cart Kindly Sponsored by Tricon Energy New Zealand

 9:00 am

 Conference Opening

 9:05 am

 Welcome Auckland Branch President : Simon Yandall, TCL Hunt
 9.10am  Plastics New Zealand National President Address : Bob Gutsell, PACT Group
 9.30am 

 Keynote Opening Speaker: 
 How leadership, inclusion, and workplace culture impact resilience and innovation :
 Professor Jarrod Haar (PhD), Deans Chair and Professor of Management and Māori Business, Massey University
 Kindly Sponsored by Azelis

 10.30am 

 Morning Tea Kindly sponsored by Blender

 11.00am 

 Plastics New Zealand Update : Rachel Barker, PNZ CEO
 11.30am

 Not going it alone – the power of partnerships in reducing workplace harm, supporting injured employees’ rehabilitation 
 and achieving positive change : Renee Graham, Head of Injury Prevention, ACC 
 12.00pm 

 Exporting New Zealand’s packaging - The challenge for our packaging industry :
 Emily Thomas, Sustainable Packaging Lead, Fonterra Research and Development Centre (FRDC).                  

 12.30pm 

 Lunch Kindly sponsored by WTW

 1:30 pm

 Navigating the New Geopolitical Faultlines: How Global Volatility Will Reshape Innovation, Trade, and Growth:
 Christopher Boys and Heath Fisher, Ice House
 2.00pm  Business Case Study : Garry Jolliffe, Vessev
 2.30pm  Business Case Study : John Mckee, MSL Ltd

 3.00pm

 Afternoon Tea

 3:30 pm

 Business Case Study : Rui Peng, Co Founder, Critical.
 4.00pm   Environmental Affairs 2025 : Katy Constance, PNZ Environmental Affairs Manager   
 4.30pm

 Keynote Speaker:
 Vocational education reforms & industry-government collaboration on environmental practical solutions :
 Hon. Penny Simmonds, Minister for the Environment and for Vocational Education (pending parliamentary leave approval)     

 5:00 pm

 Day 1 Sessions close/housekeeping                                                                                                        


Conference Dinner Evening - Tote on Ascot, Ellerslie Event Centre, Aucklland

Plastics New Zealand 79th Annual Conference Gala Dinner 

Kindly Sponsored by Competenz

Awards
Competenz Learner of the Year and Training Company of the Year Awards will be presented during the evening.

Gala Dinner Theme 
Join us for the Conference Gala Dinner with a Casino Twist!
Experience a night of excitement, and entertainment, where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner, try your luck at the casino tables, and raise your glass to a night of fun and fortune.
Las Vegas Style - Anything Goes! (Optional Costume Event)

6.00pm - 12.00am    

Friday 16 May 2025

Conference Plenary Sessions Day 2 - Ellerslie Event Centre, Auckland

 9:00 am

 Opening Day 2                                                                                                                                            

 9:05 am

 Keynote Speaker:
 Outlook for the NZ economy in uncertain times : Tony Alexander, Economist  
 Kindly Sponsored by TCL Hunt                 

 10.00am

 National AGM 

 10:15 am 

 Morning Tea Kindly sponsored by Alchemy Agencies

 10.45am 

 Reflections on Innovation & Resilience in the NZ Plastics Industry : Terry Mischefski, Expol Ltd/Life Member                               
 11.15am  Innovation & Design Panel : featuring Caliber Design, Blender, Shear Edge
 11.45am 

 Industry Deep Dive: Training and Vocational Education : Rachel Barker, CEO & PNZ Training Committee  
 12.30pm

 Lunch 

 1:15 pm

 Keynote Speaker :
 Dr Michelle Dickinson (MNZN)
 Kindly sponsored by PIL

 2.45pm

 Conference Official Close 

 2.45pm

 Networking Event Kindly sponsored by Ravago

 4.00pm

 Event Close

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(Draft Programme: Updated 20th April 2025 - Further details will be confirmed as Speakers & Topics are finalised)

Conference Programme 2025