Innovation Expo 2026 – Natural Health Products New Zealand

Innovation Expo

Innovation expo

Creating Space for Innovation

15 October 2026

Auckland, New Zealand

Natural Health Products NZ’s Innovation Expo provides an outstanding opportunity for our sector to showcase new products, ingredients or processing capability.

Our annual day of innovation is a day of ‘show and tell’ where suppliers, manufacturers, brand owners come together to network and gain new knowledge. Make sure you join us at the Aotea Centre, in the heart of Auckland City.

How does your company create space for innovation? This event brings the natural health products sector together to share and learn. And at the end of the day relax and network with colleagues at the fantastic IMCD Networking Event.

Marketing, R&D, NPD, Procurement, Manufacturers, Ingredients Suppliers, Sales … Innovation is for everyone!

Speakers

Nadine Higgins

Master of Ceremonies
Generously sponsored by Keraplast

Nadine Higgins

An award winning journalist and broadcaster, Nadine Higgins (née Chalmers Ross) is one of New Zealand’s most trusted and articulate voices across media, finance and culture.

With a career spanning television, radio, newspapers, magazines and podcasting, Nadine brings clarity, intelligence and warmth to complex conversations Nadine has built a reputation for her ability to think quickly, ask incisive questions and guide thoughtful, balanced discussions. Her background in business journalism means she can rapidly get to grips with complex subject matter and navigate high pressure environments with ease.

She brings a rare balance of authority, insight and genuine human connection.

Generously sponsored by Keraplast

Andrew Gallagher

Global Head of Science - Phynova
Alchemy Agencies

Reducose^® Comes to New Zealand

Award-Winning Science and New Clinical Evidence for Metabolic Health

Dr Vishakha Mahajan

Product Manager & NPD Specialist
Anagenix

Braincurrant^™

Mechanistic insights using a zebrafish inflammation model

Panel One

Assoc Prof Alexander Tups

Chief Science Officer
Aroma New Zealand

Great Science Isn't Enough

How to Turn University Research into Products People Actually Buy

Panel One

Dr Dominic Lomiwes

Immune Health & Performance Lead
Bioeconomy Science Institute

Greenshell Mussel Powder

Clinical Evidence for Natural Muscle Recovery

Bagila Baikadamova

Senior Application Scientist H&B
IFF

The Gut Microbiome

The Gut Microbiome and Metabolic Health in the Age of GLP-1

Muy Leng

International Principal Manager
IMCD

Gutgard^®

Clinically studied flavonoid rich, bioactive for daily digestive health and gastrointestinal comfort

Sharlene Bennett

Commercial Health Accounts
Ingredients Plus

Liponova^® Beyond Omega 3

Next Generation Specialised Pro-Resolving Mediators; SPM’s, the New Kid on the Block

Panel Two

Bobby Mehta

Pharmacist, Education Specialist & IM SME
Kaneka Ubiquinol™

The Age of Mitoceuticals

Why Mitochondrial Health is Defining the Future of Nutraceutical Innovation

Dr. Sujay Prabakar

Chief Scientific Officer
Keraplast

Keratin Beyond Hair

Creating a New Skincare Platform from New Zealand Wool

Robert Levy

Head of Marketing & Sustainability
New Zealand Couriers

eCommerce Innovation

Turning the Post-Purchase Experience into a Growth Advantage

Dr John Ingram

CEO / Founder
Nutralytics

Nutraverse™

An AI Bioactive Discovery Platform for Natural Health Products

Panel One

Gabrielle Lobo

Business Development Manager
NZFIN

Innovation

NZ Food Innovation Network Capabilities

Ben Griffiths

Senior Sales & BD Manager ANZ
Sacco Systems

Unlocking Healthy Ageing:

The Emerging Role of the Microbiome in Supporting Longevity

Panel Two

Tejaswi Vaddiparthi

R&D Scientist, Nutraceuticals
Sensient Technologies

United States: The Shift from Artificial to Natural Colours in Nutraceuticals

From new US state bans on Red 3 to increasing scrutiny of artificial dyes worldwide, it’s clear that synthetic colourants are under pressure.
Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturers in APAC—especially those exporting to the US—need to prepare for what’s next.

Erin Krelle

Scientific Affairs Associate
Swisse NZ

Beyond the Hero Ingredient

Building Defensible Dietary Supplement Platforms Through Science

Gillian Fish

Founder & CEO
The 6AM Agency

Trust and reputation in an age of AI

When Everyone Claims Science, Truth Becomes a Strategy: Brand Trust in the Age of AI, Outrage and Infinite Noise

Chengle Qiu

Technical Support Engineer
Wecare Probiotics

Beyond Supplements

Unlocking New Food and Beverage Applications with a Heat-Resistant Spore-Forming Probiotic

Panel Two

Programme

Thursday 15 October 2026

08:30 - 09:30

MCC Label Coffee Cart / Registration / Networking

09:30 - 09:45

Welcome

09:45 - 10:50

Presentations

10:50 - 11:50

Hawkins Watts Morning Tea / MCC Label Coffee cart / Networking

11:50 - 12:50

Presentations

12:50 - 13:50

Botanic Healthcare Lunch / MCC Label Coffee Cart / Networking

13:50 - 14:50

Presentations

14:50 - 15:50

2026 Supplier of the Year Awards

15:50 - 16:25

Presentations

16:25 -17:00

2026 Supplier of the Year Awards

17:00 -19:00

IMCD Networking Function

19:00

Innovation Expo Close

Supplier of the Year Awards

The Natural Health Products NZ Supplier of the Year Awards recognise excellence within the vital supplier sector of our industry.

Members vote for suppliers who have made a significant contribution to their business or the sector. Judges will choose winners based on the reasons why the company has been nominated, not the number of votes.

A winner will be awarded in each of these four categories: