Keynote Speakers
A line-up of industry experts to deliver exciting keynote addresses.
Craig Piggott
Founder and CEO of Halter
Several years ago, between working as Mechanical Engineer at Rocket Lab and returning to his Waikato dairy farming roots, Craig Piggott saw an opportunity to innovate.
After spending time in both the agriculture and engineering industries, Craig realised how an important gap could be filled, giving birth to a truly transformational tool; Halter.
Founded in 2016, Halter leverages artificial intelligence to guide cows around the farm, set up virtual fences and detect health events with the ultimate aim of creating a future of farming that is more simple, ethical and sustainable.
Since its launch, Halter has grown to a team of 130 employees whose work has received widespread recognition and investment from both New Zealand and American venture capitalists. Halter has won awards at the 2017 New Zealand Innovation Awards and 2021 NZ Hi-Tech Awards.
Craig was also a finalist for the 2018 NZ Hi-Tech Young Achiever Award and EY Entrepreneur of the Year award, and won the NZ Hi-Tech Young Achiever Award in 2020.
While he leads a business making waves in the agri-tech industry, Craig firmly believes it is having the opportunity to work on something meaningful, solving tough problems, and being part of a high performing team that brings him the greatest reward.
Geoff and Justine Ross
Co-founders of 42 Below
Geoff and Justine Ross are proud and passionate kiwis.
Co-founders of the iconic vodka brand, 42 Below which changed the way New Zealand and in particular the investment community viewed growth brands (they listed on the NZX in 2003). It also brought a new style of marketing to the world and won the hearts of bars and bartenders all over the world, from the Ritz in London to the coveted Bungalow Eight in NYC.
Together alongside their sons, Geoff and Justine are now focused on farming their sheep and beef station in Otago -Lake Hawea Station, which they have developed into New Zealand’s first carbon positive certified farm and are living by the values of the station: Environment, People and Innovation.
Geoff is also chairman of Moa Group and is a trustee of the Endangered Species Foundation and of Pure Advantage New Zealand. Justine authored the bestselling book Every Bastard Says No and she has been a trustee of The Rising, Play it Strange Charitable Trust and a judge of the AMP DoYour Thing Awards.
Both Geoff and Justine continue to be involved in mentoring many start-up businesses and have a passion for entrepreneurial spirit in New Zealand.
Dr Tom Mulholland
Doctor, entrepreneur, author and CEO
During his time as a doctor working long hours, Dr Tom found life and career evaporating, often feeling he trying to save other people’s lives while trying to save his own life, while also battling anxiety and depression.
Since 2014, he has been touring New Zealand in his retro chevy ambulance around rural communities trying to keep people out of hospital. In June, he will join us at SIDE to talk about his experiences in life, and evolving research in the areas of mental health and wellbeing.
Tom has been involved in the recent roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine, working on the front-line in rural New Zealand. As a result, he has a first-hand understanding of the anxiety that misinformation is causing in our workplaces and communities.
Using his experience as a doctor, entrepreneur, CEO, and stand-up comedian, he is an expert on workplace stress, emotional control, productivity, and wellbeing to improve your way of thinking and outlook. At the same time, he will have you laughing, crying, entertained, and educated.
Dr Tom has also written two international best-selling books on Healthy Thinking including ‘Healthy Thinking – How to Turn Life’s Lemons into Lemonade’ and ‘The Power of Healthy Thinking – To Change Your Attitude and Your Life’.
Sarah Perriam
MC
Based in Tai Tapu, Canterbury, Sarah host’s her popular podcast ‘Sarah’s Country’ to over 30,000 listeners across the globe. She is also the creative director of rural communication content agency, Perriam Media whose video & podcast studio is used by NZ’s agricultural science institutions, agronomy and rural suppliers to deliver better knowledge extension to farmers with their own podcasts.
Sarah has led an impressive career well-known from her nation-wide role as a radio host and a rural commentator on the AM Show and radio host on RadioLive’s Rural Exchange.
In 2018, she was named a finalist in the Westpac Women of Influence.
