Summit 2026
Summit 2026 is Now Over
A big thanks to everyone who attended and supported us. To see our wrap up and photos, please click here.
Summit 2026
Accelerating growth
26 - 28 May 2026
Christchurch, New Zealand
The Natural Health Products NZ Summit 2026 brings our industry together for a 3-day event that casts a wide lens over the sector. Demand for natural, evidence-backed wellness solutions is rising globally, and New Zealand is uniquely positioned to lead with quality, innovation, and integrity. This year’s theme, Accelerating Growth, reflects our shared ambition to scale faster, think bigger, and strengthen our impact at home and abroad.
A carefully curated programme of local and international speakers brings information from specifically related and complementary fields. We’ll explore new opportunities, emerging trends, global market pathways, and the partnerships that will shape our next decade.
The Summit also incorporates the Gala Dinner and Industry Awards Night. Make sure you join us in Christchurch, the garden capital of New Zealand, for this not-to-be-missed event that provides information sharing, plenty of networking, and a celebration of excellence.
Speakers
Sarah Cowley Ross
Master of Ceremonies
Sponsored by Nestlé Health Science
Sponsored by Nestlé Health Science
Sarah Cowley Ross
Sarah was commentator for the Olympic Broadcasting Service global feed at the Paris Olympic Games, host as part of the TVNZ broadcast for the Tokyo Olympic Games, is a commentator for Athletics NZ, presenter and sought after MC.
She is the former Chair of the New Zealand Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission sitting on the Board of the NZOC and has served as a board member for University Tertiary Sport NZ as well as being a selector for Athletics NZ. She is a dedicated columnist to the Locker Room profiling women in sport and regularly contributes to other media outlets. Her most important role is Mum to Max and Poppy.
Sponsored by Nestlé Health Science
Mark Thurston
President
AIDP
Sponsored by Anagenix
Sponsored by Anagenix
Mark Thurston
Mark Thurston is President of AIDP Inc., a leading supplier of science backed ingredients for the nutraceutical, functional food, and wellness markets.
With more than two decades of experience in global sourcing, partnerships, and market development, he has helped establish AIDP as a trusted, research driven solutions provider. Under his leadership, the company has expanded into clinically validated ingredients, sustainable supply chains, and innovations in digestive health, cognitive support, minerals, and plant based nutrition. Known for uniting scientific rigor with commercial strategy, Mark champions transparency, quality standards, and long term partnerships that empower brands and drive AIDP’s global growth. Sponsored by Anagenix
With more than two decades of experience in global sourcing, partnerships, and market development, he has helped establish AIDP as a trusted, research driven solutions provider. Under his leadership, the company has expanded into clinically validated ingredients, sustainable supply chains, and innovations in digestive health, cognitive support, minerals, and plant based nutrition. Known for uniting scientific rigor with commercial strategy, Mark champions transparency, quality standards, and long term partnerships that empower brands and drive AIDP’s global growth. Sponsored by Anagenix
Nicola Toki
Associate Partner
MSH Consulting
MSH Consulting
Nicola Toki
Nicola Toki is a passionate advocate for nature and one of New Zealand’s most recognisable voices on biodiversity, wellbeing and the relationship between people and the natural world. A proud Cantabrian, Nicola is known for her warmth, humour and ability to make complex environmental issues feel hopeful, practical and deeply human.
Her career has spanned leadership roles across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, including as Chief Executive of Forest & Bird.
Now an Associate Partner with MSH Consulting, Nicola works with organisations navigating change, sustainability and leadership in a rapidly evolving world, to create positive impact for people and nature alike.
Her career has spanned leadership roles across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, including as Chief Executive of Forest & Bird.
Now an Associate Partner with MSH Consulting, Nicola works with organisations navigating change, sustainability and leadership in a rapidly evolving world, to create positive impact for people and nature alike.
Dave Christie
Co-founder
Synergic Technologies
Synergic Technologies
Dave Christie
With 35+ years of strategic supply chain and logistics leadership, Dave Christie works alongside business owners and executives to drive performance improvement, change, innovation, and growth across all aspects of their supply chains.
Dave started as a logistics officer in the NZ Army, then held senior roles at PwC Consulting, The Warehouse, Fonterra, Coda Group, and Tainui Group Holdings - where he was instrumental in developing the Ruakura Superhub.
He is an expert industry advisor to government agencies, including NZTE and MOT, as well as a member of the Advisory Panel for University of Auckland's Centre for Supply Chain Management.
Dave started as a logistics officer in the NZ Army, then held senior roles at PwC Consulting, The Warehouse, Fonterra, Coda Group, and Tainui Group Holdings - where he was instrumental in developing the Ruakura Superhub.
He is an expert industry advisor to government agencies, including NZTE and MOT, as well as a member of the Advisory Panel for University of Auckland's Centre for Supply Chain Management.
Samantha Gray
Government Affairs Director
Natural Health Products NZ
Natural Health Products NZ
Samantha Gray
Samantha, a molecular biologist by training, has over 20 years’ experience in the natural health products, pharmaceutical, medical diagnostic, and biotechnology industries.
She was Technical and Process Improvement Manager for Healtheries of New Zealand and an independent consultant to Vitaco Health NZ Ltd and Lifestream International Ltd. She has also held a variety of roles with the US blue-chip companies Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Diagnostics & Invitrogen Life Technologies.
She was Technical and Process Improvement Manager for Healtheries of New Zealand and an independent consultant to Vitaco Health NZ Ltd and Lifestream International Ltd. She has also held a variety of roles with the US blue-chip companies Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Diagnostics & Invitrogen Life Technologies.
Jarrod Kerr
Chief Economist
Kiwibank
Kiwibank
Jarrod Kerr
Jarrod Kerr is Kiwibank’s Chief Economist. Jarrod has a passion for the environment, financial markets, and everything economics.
Although born and schooled in New Zealand, he cut his teeth in US, Swiss, and Australian banks, and has spent most of his career overseas. Jarrod started off as an economist at JP Morgan in Sydney. He then moved into financial markets as an interest rate strategist for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, before moving to Credit Suisse in Singapore as Head of Australian and New Zealand fixed income and economic research.
After 16 years abroad, Jarrod returned home to the mighty Kiwibank in 2018.
Although born and schooled in New Zealand, he cut his teeth in US, Swiss, and Australian banks, and has spent most of his career overseas. Jarrod started off as an economist at JP Morgan in Sydney. He then moved into financial markets as an interest rate strategist for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, before moving to Credit Suisse in Singapore as Head of Australian and New Zealand fixed income and economic research.
After 16 years abroad, Jarrod returned home to the mighty Kiwibank in 2018.
Robert Levy
Head of Marketing & Sustainability
New Zealand Couriers
New Zealand Couriers
Robert Levy
Robert Levy is Head of Marketing & Sustainability at New Zealand Couriers, with more than 15 years’ executive leadership experience. He has grown businesses and brands across logistics, FMCG and technology sectors in New Zealand and the UK.
Commercially driven and customer obsessed, Rob combines brand, marketing and sustainability expertise with operational and P&L experience. He has led international business operations, marketing, technology and sustainability portfolios, helping drive profitable growth across diverse sectors.
Passionate about balancing profit with purpose, Rob specialises in customer experience, brand strategy, commercial growth and sustainable business practices that create long-term value.
Passionate about balancing profit with purpose, Rob specialises in customer experience, brand strategy, commercial growth and sustainable business practices that create long-term value.
Rachel McDonald
Director
Ironside McDonald Intellectual Property
Rachel McDonald
With more than 20 years of experience, Rachel has a proven track record of providing senior level Intellectual Property advice.
Rachel has a wealth of knowledge in trade marks and beyond. Using this, combined with her willingness to gain a full understanding of her client’s strategic goals, she is able to provide senior level IP advice. She has worked with a number of clients across all industries which has strengthened her knowledge and skill base beyond the norm.
Rachel is registered as a Trans-Tasman Patent Attorney and Australian Trade Marks Attorney. She specialises in trade mark development, protection and enforcement in Australasia and worldwide.
Rachel has a wealth of knowledge in trade marks and beyond. Using this, combined with her willingness to gain a full understanding of her client’s strategic goals, she is able to provide senior level IP advice. She has worked with a number of clients across all industries which has strengthened her knowledge and skill base beyond the norm.
Rachel is registered as a Trans-Tasman Patent Attorney and Australian Trade Marks Attorney. She specialises in trade mark development, protection and enforcement in Australasia and worldwide.
Jonny Mirkin
Founder & CEO
Givenwell
Givenwell
Jonny Mirkin
After burning out and spending years looking at ways to improve his own mental and physical wellbeing, Jonny ended up moving full-time into the world of workplace wellbeing.
With a 20-year career across, law, business, and startups, he draws on personal experience and insights to fuel his mission of improving the wellbeing of as many people as possible around the world.
With a 20-year career across, law, business, and startups, he draws on personal experience and insights to fuel his mission of improving the wellbeing of as many people as possible around the world.
Claudia Mosimann
Commercial Lead
Consumer Health at IQVIA
Consumer Health at IQVIA
Claudia Mosimann
Claudia Mosimann brings nearly 20 years of expertise to her role as the Commercial Lead for Consumer Health at IQVIA in New Zealand. With a background in research and data analytics, Claudia has worked extensively with companies in the natural health and complementary products sector in New Zealand.
Claudia will be sharing her strategic insights and industry knowledge at the upcoming Natural Health Products Conference with a focus on key trends and market dynamics.
Claudia will be sharing her strategic insights and industry knowledge at the upcoming Natural Health Products Conference with a focus on key trends and market dynamics.
Nicola O’Rourke
Director CMInstD
Investor Joy Consulting
Investor Joy Consulting
Nicola O’Rourke
Nicola has 22 years experience in Consumer Packaged Goods industry across a range of disciplines, including Marketing, Sales, New Product Development and Operations. Throughout her career, she has launched over 200 products into global markets including Australasia, USA and China.
Nicola is the co-founder and managing partner of Founders Advisory, a business that invests in and advises branded CPG businesses with the aspiration to scale at speed across international markets. In addition, Nicola holds board and advisory roles across multiple CPG export and F&B sector for some of New Zealand’s most loved brands.
Nicola is the co-founder and managing partner of Founders Advisory, a business that invests in and advises branded CPG businesses with the aspiration to scale at speed across international markets. In addition, Nicola holds board and advisory roles across multiple CPG export and F&B sector for some of New Zealand’s most loved brands.
Phil Quinn
Senior Business Originator
NZ Export Credit | Treasury
NZ Export Credit | Treasury
Phil Quinn
With a passion for supporting New Zealand exporters, Phil Quinn is dedicated to helping businesses expand through Trade Credit Insurance and Financial Guarantees. As Senior Business Originator for the South Island, Phil brings a wealth of international experience gained over many years in Banking and Financial Services, having held customer-facing commercial and corporate manager roles in the UK, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.
Outside of work, Phil enjoys mountain biking in Wellington’s hills (sometimes he doesn’t fall off), chopping wood on weekends (sometimes he even uses it for the fire), and fun and practical jokes (his colleagues need a sense of humour). His approachable nature and sense of humour make him a valuable and relatable partner for exporters aiming to grow their global reach.
Outside of work, Phil enjoys mountain biking in Wellington’s hills (sometimes he doesn’t fall off), chopping wood on weekends (sometimes he even uses it for the fire), and fun and practical jokes (his colleagues need a sense of humour). His approachable nature and sense of humour make him a valuable and relatable partner for exporters aiming to grow their global reach.
Daniel Taylor
Head of Focus Export Customers
NZ Trade & Enterprise
Daniel Taylor
Daniel is NZTE’s Head of Focus Export Customers. He has held a number of leadership roles across NZTE, including Head of Manufacturing, trade commissioner for the United Kingdom and Ireland and trade commissioner and consul general for Melbourne, and NZTE private secretary to the Minister for Economic Development. Before joining NZTE, Daniel was involved in exporting fresh produce, with operations roles at ENZA and Global Fruits.
Based in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay, Daniel and his wife Pip are the proud parents to two wonderful daughters. He’s an avid follower of almost any sport, with a particular passion for cricket and football and an appreciation for Aussie Rules Football that only comes from having lived in Melbourne.
Based in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay, Daniel and his wife Pip are the proud parents to two wonderful daughters. He’s an avid follower of almost any sport, with a particular passion for cricket and football and an appreciation for Aussie Rules Football that only comes from having lived in Melbourne.
Matt Wilson
Chief Commercial OfficerBioeconomy Science Institute
Matt Wilson
Matt Wilson is the Chief Commercial Officer at the Bioeconomy Science Institute. He is an experienced senior leader who has worked in Europe, Asia and Oceania in the consumer goods and professional service sectors. He leads commercial strategy, building partnerships and driving sustainable growth, for the Bioeconomy Science Institute.
Programme
Tuesday 26 May 2026
Wednesday 27 May 2026
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Plenary Session
Thursday 28 May 2026
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Plenary Session
Industry Awards 2026
The Natural Health Products NZ Awards celebrate an innovative sector that continues to build on the value it adds to New Zealand’s economy.
The natural health products sector combines cutting-edge science, adding value to primary industry products, and using locally sourced natural ingredients to create outstanding products that are highly sought after in local and export markets.
Our annual awards recognise excellence across the sector and are an opportunity for members to reflect on achievements, be recognised for their outstanding accomplishments, and SHINE!
Judging is complete for the 2026 Natural Health Products NZ Industry Awards
The winners will be announced at the GMP Pharmaceuticals Gala Dinner
Gala Dinner
Register
Full Registration (excluding GMP Pharmaceuticals Gala Dinner)
Registration (excl GST)
Standard
$950
GMP Pharmaceuticals
Gala Dinner
Gala Ticket
(excl GST)
$195
Extra guest(s) tickets for Alaron Welcome Function
Extra Function Ticket
(excl GST)
$65
Full Registration (excluding GMP Pharmaceuticals Gala Dinner)
Registration (excl GST)
Standard
$1,270
GMP Pharmaceuticals
Gala Dinner
Gala Ticket
(excl GST)
$220
Extra guest/s tickets for Alaron Welcome Function
Extra Function Ticket
(excl GST)
$75
Venue
We have secured special room rates for delegates. Many of the hotels are within walking distance of the Christchurch Town Hall. A full list of accommodation providers, including promo codes, discounts and contact information can be found here.
312 Montreal Street, Christchurch Central
86 Kilmore St, Christchurch Central
Exhibitors
Sponsors
Thank you to our Summit 2026 Sponsors
Our Partners
Gold
Partner
Silver
Partners
Bronze
Partners
