New Zealand's reputation as a producer of safe, high-quality food is one of our greatest competitive advantages. It underpins consumer confidence, supports billions of dollars in exports and reflects decades of investment in science, regulation, industry leadership and environmental stewardship.
Yet maintaining that trust, security and sovereignty is becoming increasingly complex. Emerging animal and plant diseases, changing environmental conditions, growing global trade, evolving consumer expectations, changing business operations and rapid advances in technology are reshaping how we produce, protect and verify the integrity of our food.
Recent events, including the global spread of avian influenza, serve as a reminder that safeguarding New Zealand's food systems requires more than strong border controls. It depends on collaboration across science, government, industry, iwi and communities, supported by innovation, surveillance and the ability to respond quickly to emerging threats.
This Frontline Forum will bring together leaders from across these sectors to explore what it will take to maintain New Zealand's reputation as a trusted producer of safe food. Together they will discuss the challenges ahead, the opportunities presented by new technologies and how we continue to strengthen the provenance, integrity and resilience that give New Zealand food its value—both at home and around the world.
Wednesday 26th August 2026
10.00am-11.30am
Teams Webinar
About Our Speakers
Moderator: Prof Amanda Black, Lincoln University
My research area is in environmental soil chemistry and biochemistry, focusing on the health of soil ecosystems. My current areas of focus are understanding the relationship between gene expression and soil productivity such as carbon storage; halting kauri dieback through discovery of disease suppressive traits in soils; and focusing on biosecurity and climate change issues that are of concern to Maori and indigenous communities. I am the director of Bioprotection Aotearoa which is a national centre of research excellence (CoRE) that collaborates across 11 partner organisations across New Zealand. It conducts innovative research framed by Māori values, to develop approaches that make our productive and valued ecosystems resistant and resilient in the face of increasing threats from pathogens, pests, and weeds, which are exacerbated by climate change.
I have a strong background in incorporating mātauranga Māori and facilitating inter-team interactions and collaborations. In 2019 I received the Te Tupu-ā-Rangi Award for Health and Science at the Matariki Awards, Māori Television. In 2018 I was awarded the MPI NZ Biosecurity Award (AsureQuality - Emerging Leader). I have recently held Ministerial appointments with the Department of Conservation, Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Primary Industries.
Watch this space as we confirm more speakers…
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