Biosecurity underpins the health of New Zealand’s ecosystems, primary industries, and rural communities, yet increasing global connectivity, evolving farming systems, and the movement of people, animals, and goods are creating new and complex pathways for risk. From preventing pest and disease incursions to strengthening on-farm preparedness and response, biosecurity is becoming more dynamic, data-driven, and embedded into everyday farm management.
At the forefront of this shift is Courtney van Beek from Onside, a New Zealand agtech company using digital tools and real-time information sharing to support farm safety, compliance, and biosecurity. In this VIBE session, Courtney will share insights from the intersection of agriculture and technology, exploring how connectivity, data, and farmer-led adoption are transforming biosecurity practice on the ground. Courtney will also showcase how digital platforms can improve traceability, strengthen response capability, and enable more proactive approaches to managing risk across the primary sector.
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of biosecurity in Aotearoa, the role of innovation in strengthening resilience, and how technology and collaboration can help protect our farms, landscapes, and livelihoods.
Thursday 24th September 2026
4.00pm-5.30pm
Memorial Hall, Lincoln University
Timings
4:00pm – Arrival and networking
4:10pm – Welcome from Prof. Chad Hewitt, Provost, Lincoln University
4:15pm – Overview on what LU is doing in this space
4:20pm – Keynote presentation - Courtney van Beek, Onside
4:45pm – Q&A
5:00pm – Networking
5:30pm – Event concludes
About Our Speaker
Courtney van Beek, Onside
Courtney van Beek is Head of Product at Onside and an expert in digital product, taking a human-centred, design-led approach to solving complex challenges. With a background in digital products in New Zealand and abroad, he leads the Onside product, design, and engineering teams to create tools that strengthen farm biosecurity and health & safety, delivering solutions that are practical and beautifully simple for farmers and industry to use.
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