Photos of the launch event on the 20th of October 2025.
We did it! The first Agritourism NZ Regional Network: Otago / Southland was launched on the 20th of Oct 2025 at Welcome Rock in Garston.
A BIG thank you to all agritourism operators who braved the elements (gale-force winds and torrential rains) to attend this festive occasion.
Everyone is excited to join this new network with the aim to collaborate, learn from each other and thrive. Smiles all around! Thank you Tom O'Brien for hosting us in your woolshed, Jeff Grant for officially launching the first network, Joseph Mooney for his support and encouragement and Sean Lysaght for partnering with Agritourism NZ with his new Agritourism Insurance product (coming soon). And last but not least, thanks to Thriving Southland for their collaboration and to AGMARDT (The Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust) for believing is this project and funding the feasibility research. It wouldn't have happened without your help. It's been a big job, and we look forward to rolling these out around NZ so we can continue building a thriving agritourism industry in NZ to help farmers diversify into successful agritourism experiences and delivering authentic experiences to our visitors. Photography by Ben Amaral - Amaral Media www.benamaral.com
Click on photos to enlarge
What will the Agritourism NZ Regional Network include?
Quarterly events:
Two in-person on-farm network events a year in your region to connect with like-minded agritourism operators and be part of a supportive community.
Two online 'lunch & learn' zooms a year.
Why are we setting up Agritourism NZ Regional Networks?
Agritourism is a growing sector globally benefiting farmers and rural communities. There's also an increased demand from visitors for agritourism experiences.
The development of regional agritourism networks in NZ has the potential to significantly strengthen the agritourism sector as a way for farmers to diversify their farm income.
These networks will provide a structured approach collaboration, capacity building, and marketing for agritourism operators, driving sustainable growth and economic benefits for farmers and rural communities.
But most of all: it'll be fun! It's about getting together, collaborating, learning and supporting each other! Agritourism NZ has been awarded an 'Agribusiness Innovation Grant' by AGMARDT to assess the feasibility of setting up a pilot group in Otago/Southland in collaboration with Thriving Southland.
This involved researching international agritourism network models, NZ models, discussions with agricultural organisations and the roll-out of an in-depth survey to assess the interest and format of the regional networks.
A big thank you to AGMARDT and Thriving Southland for their support!
Your Agritourism NZ Otago/Southland Steering Committee:
