Auckland | Hamilton | Bay of Plenty | Christchurch | AshburtonNew ZealandMay 2026BCCM Agricultural Study Tour
This study tour provides Australian cooperative and mutual leaders with a unique opportunity to learn from New Zealand’s globally renowned agricultural cooperatives.
Through immersive site visits, leadership briefings and behind‑the‑scenes access to major agribusinesses and innovation centres, participants will gain practical insights into:
Cooperative governance and strategy
Leading‑edge agricultural R&D
Sustainability, emissions‑reduction and climate‑adaptation initiatives
Value‑chain innovation across dairy, meat, horticulture and fertiliser
Collaboration models between cooperatives, government, industry and research
Purpose of the Study Tour
[ OVERVIEW ]
Tour overview
The tour takes you through two of New Zealand’s key agricultural and cooperative heartlands - the Waikato-Bay of Plenty region in the North Island, and Canterbury in the South Island.
Study Tour details
Trip duration
5 days 4 nights
04 May - 8 May 2026 inclusive
Dates
From $6,700 AUD pp [BCCM Member rate]
From $7,700 AUD pp [BCCM Non-member rate]
*Prices based on 15 attendees
Pricing
Learn from co-ops that support New Zealand’s largest exports.
[ HIGHLIGHTS ]Learn about the cooperative model’s national impact.
Observe how NZ’s cooperative ecosystem drives economic success, innovation, and inclusive business practices - offering lessons applicable to Australian contexts.
Leadership insights from New Zealand’s top agricultural cooperatives
Participants will hear directly from senior leaders at organisations such as Fonterra, LIC, Zespri, EastPack, Ravensdown, Silver Fern Farms and Ruralco, gaining first-hand understanding of cooperative strategy, governance and sector-wide collaboration.
Exposure to world-leading agricultural innovation and research
From LIC’s methane research barn and genomic laboratories to cutting-edge kiwifruit automation at EastPack, attendees will see how cooperative investment drives scientific breakthroughs and boosts sustainability and productivity.
Practical learning on sustainability, emissions reduction and climate adaptation
The tour provides real-world examples of emissions measurement, nutrient management, environmental compliance and water governance - all at the forefront of NZ’s agricultural transition.
Understanding of rural infrastructure cooperatives
Visits to irrigation cooperatives and the Rangitata Diversion Race reveal how farmer-owned infrastructure supports regional resilience and long-term water security.
Behind-the-scenes access to high-performance supply chain
Participants will experience the full value chain: dairy, horticulture, meat processing, fertiliser and irrigation. They will gain insight into logistics, quality systems and post-harvest technology that underpin NZ’s global export reputation.
Strengthened cross-sector relationships and peer networking
Throughout the tour, participants will connect with Australian and New Zealand cooperative leaders, building networks that support ongoing knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Study tour itinerary
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Day one: Arrival into Auckland, New Zealand
Participants arrive in Auckland on 4 May 2026 and check into their CBD hotel. In the evening, the tour begins with a hosted welcome dinner showcasing New Zealand regional produce and wine. This provides an opportunity to meet fellow delegates and BCCM hosts, review the week’s program and gain an introductory overview of the NZ cooperative economy.
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To be confirmed which CBD hotel is selected
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Arrive in Auckland any time on Monday. Check in commences 3pm. Some flights from Australia arrive early in the morning. Contact Nick should you wish an extra night accommodation to be booked [not included].
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One night accommodation in a single room. Breakfast on Tuesday 5 May is included. Hosted welcome dinner on Monday 4 May at a local restaurant featuring New Zealand food and wine.
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Auckland International Airport is approximately a 30 - 40 minute journey from the CBD. Taxis and ride share are available from the International terminal. Alternatively, the SkyDrive bus departs the terminal every 30 minutes and delivers you to Sky City Casino, a 10-minute downhill walk to your accommodation. SkyDrive is $20 per person one way.
Day two: Auckland and Hamilton
The day begins with a visit to Fonterra’s head office in Auckland where Cooperative Affairs and Strategy leaders host a detailed briefing on global dairy markets, cooperative governance at scale, and climate and sustainability initiatives. New Zealand’s largest company by revenue and also it’s largest exporter, Fonterra is responsible for around 30% of global dairy exports. It processes over 90% of the country’s milk and is owned by approximately 10,000 farmers.
From Fonterra, you travel to Hamilton and visit Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC)’s state-of-the-art Methane Research Barn and Innovation Centre, where research scientists demonstrate breakthrough measurement technology and low-emissions breeding programs.
Highlights:
Exclusive briefing from NZ’s largest cooperative
Insight into global dairy strategy and climate leadership
See methane-measurement technology in action
Understand cooperative-funded scientific innovation
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One night including breakfast at Novotel Hamilton Tainui.
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Fonterra Head Office and LIC Methane Barn and R&D facility
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Depart Auckland hotel for Fonterra at approximately 8am, and arrive in Hamilton at approximately 1pm.
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Group dinner in Hamilton, breakfast, one night accommodation
Day Three: Te Puke and Mount Maunganui
We depart Hamilton early and head to Te Puke for a visit to EastPack cooperative’s Quarry Road site. EastPack is a grower-owned post-harvest kiwifruit packhouse which processes >25 million fruit across the February - May season. EastPack has invested >$250M in technology and productivity improvements resulting in outstanding data for growers; each fruit is photographed 400 times during processing.
From Te Puke you make the short journey to Mount Maunganui where you’ll visit either Zespri, the world’s leading kiwifruit marketer, or Ballance Agri-Nutrients, NZ’s leading fertiliser cooperative. Both visits explore sustainability programs, supply chain excellence and farmer support models.
Highlights:
High-tech kiwifruit packing operations
Automation, cold-chain and sustainability innovations
Global horticultural supply-chain insights (Zespri)
Fertiliser technology and nutrient management (Ballance)
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Trinity Wharf Tauranga
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EastPack Quarry Road kiwifruit packhouse in Te Puke.
Zespri or Ballance Agri-Nutrients in Mount Maunganui.
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Depart Hamilton early to arrive at EastPack by 10am.
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TBC
Day four: Tauranga to Christchurch
You depart Tauranga airport early and fly to Christchurch in the South Island. On arrival in Christchurch you’ll be collected and travel by coach to co-op visits including Ravensdown, MG Group and Silver Fern Farms.
You’ll learn about meat processing innovation, emissions tools, and environmental compliance systems.
Highlights:
Meat processing sustainability strategies (Silver Fern Farms)
Environmental monitoring and compliance (Ravensdown)
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TBC
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TBC
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TBC
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TBC
Day five: Ashburton and Christchurch
Departing Christchurch around 8am, you’ll drive 60 minutes south to Ashburton, the heart of mid-Canterbury. Co-ops thrive in this region, with agriculture at its core.
This final day focuses on NZ’s world-leading irrigation cooperatives. Visits include the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR), MHV Water and additional irrigation co-ops, followed by Ruralco. Participants gain a deep understanding of water governance, regional collaboration and farmer-owned supply-chain infrastructure.
Highlights:
Irrigation governance and community water management
Environmental data and compliance systems
Cooperative-owned rural supply and procurement models
Regional resilience and climate adaptation initiatives
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No accommodation is included on the last day of the tour. Should you wish to extend your stay, please reach out to our travel agent to make arrangements for the evening of Day 5.
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Ruralco, irrigation co-ops. Lunch in Ashburton at the Somerset Grocer is included.
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tbc
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Enjoy a relaxed dinner at the Riverside Market in Christchurch, take your pick of outstanding local and international cuisine in a bustling market setting.
Zero to four thousand.
In less than a month.
That’s the hiring rate for EastPack kiwifruit packhouse in peak season.
[ sector details ]
About the New Zealand agricultural sector
New Zealand’s agricultural economy is built on a highly successful cooperative model. Dairy, meat, fertiliser, irrigation, kiwifruit and research cooperatives contribute significantly to the nation’s export earnings and rural community prosperity.
Strong cooperative market share in dairy, kiwifruit and meat
Robust investment in agricultural research and development
High adoption of sustainability and emissions reduction technologies
Global reputation for premium food products and supply chain integrity
Your hosts
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Saya Wahrlich
CEO, Cooperative Business NZSaya joined Cooperative Business NZ as CEO in 2024. Her career began in science and technology as a resins Development Chemist in New Zealand’s processed wood industry. Following 15 years in leadership roles at Fortune 500 global manufacturer 3M, she moved into the tech startup space as part of the leadership team listing a fast-growing crime analytics software exporter on the NZX. She then moved to NZTE, New Zealand’s export support agency working alongside exporters of all sectors on how to apply digital to help achieve export growth. During Covid she developed and scaled a remote-delivery Digital Clinic service, delivered to 250 exporters in 9 months. Before joining Cooperative Business NZ she continued her support for Kiwi businesses as COO at Kea, connecting government and businesses to Kiwi expats to grow businesses and connect policy makers.
Michael Pilbrow
Managing Director, Strategic Development GroupMichael Pilbrow is a special advisor for the BCCM and Program Manager for the BCCM’s Care Together program.
Michael is a former diplomat with wide-ranging experience from a grass roots community level, right up to high-level government strategy. Michael is founder of Strategic Development Group and as Chairman, he oversees the company’s governance and growth from its Yass base in regional NSW, Australia. Throughout his business career, Michael has used his strategy and community engagement skills to work on complex challenges like affordable housing, sustainable health and education services, and employment in regional areas.
Express interest
Common questions
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Price Includes:
· Accommodation in minimum 4‑star hotels
· Daily breakfast
· All transport for the duration of the tour, including domestic flight within NZ
· Organised site visits, briefings and hosted sessions
· Welcome dinner
Not included:
· Flights to/from New Zealand
· Some meals (noted in final confirmation itinerary)
· Personal expenses
Optional:
BCCM’s travel agent can arrange your flights to and from New Zealand upon request.
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Please complete the expression of interest form on this page to confirm interest.
Further information on pricing, invoicing and deposits will be available on confirmation. Program and cost subject to change based on flight and host availability.
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Yes. Should you require assistance booking your international flights please reach out to our travel agent Nick Good at Windsong.
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Transfers are not included.
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Auckland International Airport is approximately a 30 - 40 minute journey from the CBD. Taxis and ride share are available from the International terminal. Alternatively, the SkyDrive bus departs the terminal every 30 minutes and delivers you to Sky City Casino, a 10-minute downhill walk to your accommodation. SkyDrive is $20 per person one way.
Taxi or rideshare are the most popular ways to get to Christchurch Airport. There are buses from the CBD to the airport, and all transportation methods can be found here.