Led by Venture Taranaki in partnership with the Stratford Herb Society, the Taranaki branch of the Herb Federation of New Zealand, this event highlights the opportunity for a thriving medicinal plants industry in Taranaki – growing, processing, and developing value-added products.

Join us to hear from one of New Zealand's most experienced phytotherapists (medical herbalist), pharmacist and founder of Phytomed Medicinal Herbs, Phil Rasmussen.

Phil will provide insights into his journey and thoughts on what is needed to enable a thriving Taranaki medicinal plants industry.

Also at the event, eminent research organisation, AbacusBio, will share findings of research they have been doing to identify those plants with the most opportunity for Taranaki.

Local growers, Venture Taranaki and the Stratford Herb Society collaborated to collect information and develop a long list of what medicinal herbs can be grown commercially in the region. AbacusBio then used this information to form the basis of their study.

AbacusBio will provide an overview of supply chain, and market opportunities and attendees will be taken through the approach, key outcomes and recommended next steps.

This event aims to continue fostering collaboration and partnership, and leverage our existing expertise and favourable land and climatic conditions as we look towards pilot and commercialisation.

The event will cover:

• An introduction to the work of the Stratford Herb Society - Shonagh Hopkirk, Stratford Herb Society and the Herb Federation of New Zealand.

• What is needed to enable a Taranaki medicinal plants industry (growing and processing) - Phil Rasmussen, Founder of Phytomed.

• An investigation of plant options for Taranaki from agronomic, market, scientific, and supply chain perspectives – Anna Campbell, AbacusBio.

• A new pilot to map the region's medicinal plant growing activity to enable sharing of information and further collaboration opportunities – Michelle Bauer, Venture Taranaki Branching Out Project Lead.

Who should attend:

• Herb growers
• Aspiring herb growers
• Herbalists
• Naturopaths
• Brand owners/marketers
• Processors
• Land-owners
• Financial and farm advisers

Light refreshments will be provided.

There is the opportunity to network from 5pm with the event starting at 5:30pm.

We have now reached capacity for the in-person event please register to attend our online zoom option.

In line with current government requirements Novotel New Plymouth requires a vaccine pass on entry and scanning in.

Speaker Bio's

Phil Rasmussen, Founder of Phytomed

Phil is one of New Zealand's most experienced phytotherapists (medical herbalist), pharmacist and Founder of Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, a New Zealand-based GMP-certified manufacturer and exporter of herbal medicines for both practitioners and consumers.

He has 26 years of experience in herbal medicine manufacturing, formulating, and developing plant-based medicines, and actively promoting the development of a locally grown, sustainable and export-lead New Zealand herbal medicine industry. Other roles include:

• Founding board member of Natural Health Products NZ, NZ's natural health industry body.

• Chair, Interim Technical Expert Committee, Natural Health Products (Permitted Substances Subcommittee), New Zealand Ministry of Health, 2006-2008.

• Honorary Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Auckland

Phil frequently presents to professional forums, academic institutions, and conferences and has written extensively on a wide range of herbal subjects for practitioners and consumers for more than 25 years.

He also blogs regularly on subjects of relevance to medical herbalists, growers, manufacturers, regulators, politicians and end users, with a focus on science, sustainability, and policy making - www.herbblurb.com.

Anna Campbell, AbacusBio

Anna Campbell has a PhD in plant biotechnology and has worked for a number of years in plant and animal genetic improvement roles. She has keen interests in food, agri and the use of plant bioactives for human health.

She joined AbacusBio in 2007, a private company bridging science and business and operating in 20 countries. She was the Managing Director from 2015-2021 and is now a Partner.

To pursue her interests in plant bioactives, Anna co-founded Zestt Wellness, in 2020. Zestt Wellness is a company changing lives with natural products.

Anna is also a Director of the New Zealand Cricket Association, Otago Innovation Limited, Genomics Aoteoroa and a Trustee of Otago Boys' High School.

She was named the Otago Daily Times 2019 Business Leader of the year.