April 30 @ 5:00 pm – May 3 @ 3:00 pm
| The 2026 IPPS New Zealand Conference, themed ‘Southern Challenge’, is set against the dramatic landscapes and rich horticultural heritage of Dunedin and wider Otago. The Dunedin Conference Team have put together a diverse and engaging programme, combining strong scientific content, practical propagation expertise, conservation-focused sessions, and an excellent range of field trips. With speakers from across New Zealand and overseas, delegates can expect a wealth of knowledge, experience, and ideas to take home and put into practice. An action-packed pre-conference tour on Wednesday 29 April, organised by Mark Brown, will showcase the highlights of Dunedin and surrounds, finishing with dinner and drinks at the iconic Careys Bay Historic Hotel — a relaxed and social way to kick off the conference. Numbers are limited to 20 people Across the conference, attendees will enjoy visits to Dunedin Botanic Gardens, Blueskin Nurseries, Janefield Hydroponics, Ribbonwood Nursery, and Wals Garden Centre. This year, IPPS is also partnering with the RNZIH, who will be presenting the Banks Memorial Lecture, delivered by Professor Janice Lord in a dedicated Sunday afternoon session, following the presentation of RNZIH Awards. Janice’s lecture, “What we do and don’t know about pollination biology and breeding systems of rare New Zealand plants”, will be a fitting and thought-provoking conclusion to the event. Registrations closed 15th April 2026 |
| Confirmed Speakers to Date Fiona Eadie – Horticulture at Larnach Castle Dr Caroline Orchiston – Earthquake Risk and the Next Major Alpine Fault Earthquake Jo Wakelin – Dry Land Gardening Murray Dawson – Engagement with MPI: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Dennis Enright – The Benefits of Using Biochar for Container Growing Terry & Lindsey Hatch – Difficult-to-propagate plants Dr Peter Espie – Using the Soil Microbiome to Enhance Propagation Kat Lord – Conservation Work with Highly Endangered NZ Plants Dr Paul Fisher – Using AI to Access Information on NZ Native Plant Propagation Dr Jim Faust – Stock Plant Management Daphne Lee – Amazing fossil plant treasures from Foulden Maar – a window into the flora of Aotearoa New Zealand 23 million years ago Benjamin Teele – Native Seed Germination Allan Dippie – After dinner speaker on the Thursday evening Jed Tweedie – Vern Paddock Project Exchanges – Wendy Hall (Western), Jake Linklater (South Africa), Shelby Klassen (Western) Field Trips Friday 1 May Dunedin Botanic Gardens Blueskin Nurseries Saturday 2 May Janefield Hydroponics Ribbonwood Nursery Wals Garden Centre – self directed garden wander and afternoon tea Social Occasions Friday night – Dinner and Auction at the Distinction Dunedin Hotel Saturday night – Conference Dinner and Awards at Tūhura Otago Museum, including access to the Butterfly and Science Centre Special Session | Sunday 3 May, 1.00–3.00pm RNZIH Banks Memorial Lecture & Awards Prof Janice Lord “What we do and don’t know about pollination biology and breeding systems of rare New Zealand plants” Pre conference tour – Wednesday 29th April Departs Distinction Hotel at 9am Itinerary Rodney ‘The Rooter’ McDonald’s garden Dylan Norfield’s garden, recently designated a Garden of National Significance by the NZ Gardens Trust. Truby King Reserve, site of the former Seacliff Lunatic Asylum, planted under the direction of Sir Frederic Truby King in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. Aramoana, a seaside village on the west side of the Otago Harbour, original Brownie Country. Carey’s Bay pub for dinner. Sponsorship A big thank you to our sponsors for supporting the 2026 IPPS New Zealand Conference. Please support them whenever you can. Platinum Daltons Horticentre Trust Gold Intelligro Kiwiflora Nurseries Silver Canterbury Landscape Supplies Commercial Horticulture Magazine Egmont Commercial Ellepot Hayes Wholesale/Cowpower ICL Lifetech Laboratories Orion Labelling Solutions PGG Fruitfed Supplies Rainbow Park TNZ Growing Products Bronze Advanced Horticulture Apex Greenhouses Harford Greenhouses Hill Laboratories Multiflora Laboratories Primehort Distributors Southern Woods Totara Glen Nurseries Redpath Greenhouses Questions? Please contact the conference organisers for further information. Allie Mackay allien39@gmail.com 021811225 Vanessa Healey VHealey@hotmail.com 0273545929 Registration closed 15th April 2026 |