The New Zealand Israel Innovation Hub (NZIIH) will host its Annual Leaders’ Luncheon 2026 on Wednesday 26 August, bringing together voices from research, industry and government for a conversation about building an innovation economy that can outlast political cycles rather than just survive them.
Headlining the event is Sir Peter Gluckman ONZ, KNZM, President of the International Science Council and former Chief Science Advisor to three New Zealand prime ministers, who will deliver the keynote address. He will be joined on the panel by David Thodey AO, Chancellor of the University of Sydney and Chair of Xero, with Brigitte Morten, Managing Director of Franks Ogilvie, MCing proceedings.
The event puts three questions to the room: How New Zealand turns world-class research into economic value; how it builds a technology-driven economy resilient to economic and political cycles; and how it shifts from being a consumer of technology to a genuine contributor to the world’s pipeline of innovation.
“New Zealand has never lacked for ideas. What we’ve lacked is funding for R&D and a reliable way to turn our most viable concepts and prototypes into revenue, jobs and enduring prosperity here at home,” says Josh Brown, NZIIH’s Executive Director.
“This luncheon puts the people who can actually move that needle, in science, business and government, in the same room, for a conversation that’s honest about what needs to be done and how far we still have to go.”
Discussion is expected to draw heavily on international comparisons, particularly Israel’s transformation from an agriculture-dependent economy with scarce natural resources into a globally recognised technology exporter.
“As the organiser of this event, we see a genuine opportunity for New Zealand to learn from Israel’s experience of building a technology-export economy despite a history of agricultural dependence and limited natural resources, and to apply those lessons to our own journey towards becoming an ‘innovation nation’,” Brown adds.
Josh Brown, NZIIH’s Executive Director.
Event backers include Base44 and Trendlines, an Israeli venture capital firm.
The luncheon runs from 12.30pm at a central Auckland venue yet to be disclosed. Tickets are limited, but remain available.
Established in 2022, NZIIH is a volunteer-run, independent trade association working to strengthen trade, investment and economic ties between New Zealand and Israel, with a particular focus on technology and R&D collaboration. It connects business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers and policy stakeholders through networking, business services and thought-leadership events.
