In November 2025 the NZCPA held it's first Annual Conference at Ngawha Innovation & Enterprise Park and it was a full programme that was packed with updates. Firstly from the NZCPA and the progress it has made since establishing officially as an Incorporated Society in November 2024, including a overview of the second stage project which will establish formal crops trials, open access to new plant varieties, and develop industry knowledge and connections (national and global).
NZ-based specialty coffee experts Stu Hargie and Pat Russell were also joined by growers sharing their experience so far, and included plenty of time for Q&A and discussion.
As a Q Grader, and New Zealand's only quality Q Instructor, Stu Hargie introduced some very new and interesting changes coming to the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) Quality Grading system. We also discussed how New Zealand might compete in the global specialty market as these changes happen and the system evolves.
As a green bean trader and the General Manager at Sucafina NZ, Pat Russell provided an insightful and informative update on the world coffee trading market. This being top of mind for many, as several traditional coffee growing areas around the world are being impacted by a changing climate, extreme weather events, and the increase of pests and diseases. Attendees were able to get a better picture of how supply and demand affects pricing across both the commercial/commodity market and the specialty coffee market.
The day ended with a specialty coffee tasting session with Stu Hargie. Tasting and comparing coffees from around the world, as well as specialty graded coffee grown right here in Northland. This session was informative, educational, fun, and delicious, leaving all participants with plenty to think and talk about.
While the NZCPA is a small non-profit organisation without a big budget for videography services, we did capture the discussions and key slides from the conference. The recordings are of basic quality, but it makes the information shared no less interesting.
Providing NZCPA members with detailed conference content is just one of the key benefits of being a member. We are on this journey together and believe that as we continue sharing all information, we will develop faster and with greater capability.
If you are not a member but would like to have access to this kind of information, you can head to the Membership section of our website to learn more.
*The video content has been edited into sessions and these are all now available for NZCPA members to access any time on our website.