Waikato Federated Farmers’ Dairy Chair Matthew Zonderop. Photo / Steve Edwards
While this month’s NZ Dairy Expo in Matamata will have a variety of machinery, equipment and technology on show, farmers can also hear the latest industry news, plus training and support service options.
A full house of more than 160 exhibitors will pack Bedford Park for the two-day “dairy-only” event on February 18 and 19.
Waikato Federated Farmers believes there will be plenty to talk about on their stand at the expo.
At the time of publication, details were still pending on Resource Management Act reforms and the Waikato Regional Council’s proposed Plan Change 1 (PC1).
“These will be up for discussion, whatever happens,” Waikato Federated Farmers’ dairy chair Matthew Zonderop said.
The Government announced pre-Christmas that the RMA would be replaced by a Planning Bill to enable development and regulate land use, and a Natural Environment Bill to manage resource impacts and protect the environment.
Both bills are expected to be passed into law by the middle of this year.
Government moves in this area would replace elected regional councillors with new Combined Territories Boards made up of mayors from the region’s city and district councils.
Zonderop said this could affect PC1, which aimed to improve water quality in the Waikato and Waipā catchments.
A final decision was pending at the time of publication , as the regional council had sought a two-to-three-month extension from the Environment Court to enable a new economic impact assessment to be prepared for its consideration.
Also returning to the expo this year is Meet the Need, a farmer-led charity connecting rural generosity with Kiwi families facing food insecurity.
Manager Zellara Holden said farmers donated milk, livestock, or cash, and Meet the Need worked with trusted community organisations already on the front lines to ensure that support reached those who needed it most.
Through partnerships with Fonterra and Miraka, donated milk is processed, packed and distributed nationwide.
Holden said Silver Fern Farms played an equally vital role, transforming donated livestock into premium-quality mince for foodbanks across the country.
“While produce donations remain the backbone of the charity’s work, cash donations are increasingly important to meet growing demand and keep nutritious protein flowing to families doing it tough.”
DairyNZ and its subsidiary Dairy Training Ltd will both have sites at the expo.
Senior regional policy advisor Shaun Hazelton will be attending alongside colleagues from DairyNZ’s Freshwater Policy and the Environment Team.
“The DairyNZ stand will have a focus on environmental policy work and ecosystem health approaches to managing water quality,” Hazelton said.
“We’ve attended several dairy expos, and the event is a great opportunity to engage with dairy farmers at a dairy farm-focused event and have more constructive conversations with those in the industry.”
Hazelton said the format allowed them to have more in-depth and detailed discussions with farmers.
He said they’re looking forward to having quality conversations with farmers on the issues farmers are facing and where DairyNZ can support them.
“Farmers will be able to hear the latest policy insights, and chat with freshwater experts and local policy leads about the opportunities available to provide long-term certainty for their business while improving outcomes for their catchment.”
Dairy Training Limited will be on an adjacent stand, showcasing its suite of free short courses available for dairy farmers, including six new courses launching in 2026.
“Our programmes are designed and taught by experienced dairy farmers or rural professionals and provide practical skills to help farmers get ahead,” Dairy Training Ltd head Hamish Hodgson said.
“No matter what your role on-farm is, we have a range of different courses to suit everyone, covering leadership, business management, the environment, on-farm operations, and animal health.
“Since 2002, we’ve been helping dairy farmers grow through quality training and with more courses added each year, we’re now helping more people gain the skills they need to thrive and find the most productive ways to work.”
Industry training provider Primary ITO is back at the expo.
Their local team will be on hand with a range of information about apprenticeships, certificates, and bite-sized micro‑credential training options.
Dairy farming sector manager Marianne Awburn said the organisation made “good connections, which prompted conversations with industry about training” at the 2025 event, so they’re eager to return.
She says this year’s Primary ITO stand will again be primarily focused on dairy, with information on training opportunities ranging from those new to the industry (level 2/3) through to farm management (level 5).
“We will cover the full spectrum of training available.”
The NZ Dairy Expo will again run on farmer-friendly time: 8.30am to 3pm.
Entry is free, but organisers want farmers to register to ensure the right facilities, services and resources are in place for everyone.
Register here.