5
& 6 August 2020 New
Zealand has an exceptional reputation internationally for
the food it produces, exporting premium quality produce to
meet the growing demands of offshore markets. Without
question, the strength of our food exports remains a
lynchpin of the New Zealand
economy.
(pre-conference workshop on
4 August)
Grand Millennium Hotel, AucklandBut the way we produce our
food has come at a huge cost to the environment, and
international markets are questioning the green credentials
upon which New Zealand’s reputation relies. Over
two-thirds of our rivers are unswimmable due to pollution
and three-quarters of our native freshwater fish species are
threatened with extinction. Excessive sedimentation is
degrading sensitive natural habitats across freshwater,
estuarine and coastal ecosystems. The decline in insects,
including pollinators, is alarming. The health and loss of
our soils – a grower’s most precious asset – need
urgent attention. And harvesting pressures on our marine
resources are troubling. In short,
current production systems and practices are failing our
environment and are
unsustainable. Food for our
Future will explore how current food production
systems and practices in New Zealand are regulated and
managed, including through emerging policy settings
promulgated this year. We will hear from Māori about their
insights on how to produce food with respect for, and in
harmony with, nature. And we will learn about innovative
local and international production models across all food
groups that could secure New Zealand’s position as a
premium food producer whilst restoring the environment and
enabling it to flourish. The state of our environment, on
both land and sea, demonstrates that change is essential and
urgent. So is it possible? And how should councils and key
stakeholders be responding? Join us
for a thought-provoking 2 days to find
out. REGISTRATION WILL
OPEN EARLY MARCH 2020. www.edsconference.com