BusinessNZ Dinner

Date: 1 Nov 2019
Author: Dr Jonno Hill (CEO)

On Monday 30th September, in conjunction with BusinessNZ, we cohosted with Ligar a private dinner in Hamilton that was attended by Minister Damien O'Connor and several business leaders from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, many of whom are current business partners of ours. Joining me in attendance from Hill Laboratories was GM-Operations Paul Sutherland and GM-Sales and Marketing Megan Smith.

The event took a particular focus on the emerging medicinal cannabis and hemp markets, giving several leaders in this space the chance to engage directly with the Minister. An enjoyable and energising evening, I was reminded how thoughtful and progressive many of our business leaders are. We are looking forward to supporting this industry as it grows in the coming years and will be paying particular attention to high quality and ethical practices in what many still consider to be a contentious space.

The dinner provided us with the opportunity to engage directly with Minister O'Connor about our keen interest in sustainable farming, and in supporting the primary industries in exporting our produce to the world. We have a range of services relevant to these goals - soil nutrient testing, water quality testing, and a wide range of food testing services - and are proud of the role that we play in the 'NZ Inc' story. The challenges around moving the country to more sustainable farming practices are substantial however I know that most of the industry is committed to making this happen. It will require some innovative solutions, but things are already moving in the right direction and momentum is building.

As a side note, I was impressed by Minister O'Connor's openness and honesty in engaging with the business community. Regardless of any individual's political leaning on the night, the dialogue was constructive and respectful. We're lucky to live in a country where our politicians are able to interface so effectively with the business community and have frank conversations about the sorts of things that matter to us all.

- Dr Jonno Hill (CEO)