New Seeds: Growing the Future of Biodynamics, is a conference focused on weaving in fresh ideas with the foundational practices of biodynamics.
Spanning two inspiring days on August 29th and 30th, our conference will be held at the beautiful Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School. With its thoughtfully designed architecture and flourishing organic gardens, this unique venue offers the perfect setting to gather, learn and reconnect as a biodynamic community.
Come and be inspired by a powerful line-up of speakers including Dr Jessica Hutchings, Hamish Mackay, and Monique McFarlane(more speakers to be announced soon).
Across the weekend, you’ll enjoy rich conversations, thought-provoking talks and meaningful discussions exploring the future of biodynamic practice.
Alongside the speaker programme, we’re offering a diverse range of hands-on workshops and practical activities, giving you the chance to expand your knowledge and try something new. This year’s workshop hosts include Katrina Wolff, Peter Bacchus, Gita Krenek, and Steve Erikson, ensuring a dynamic and engaging learning experience.
When
Saturday 29th August & Sunday 30th August
Where
Christchurch Rudolph Steiner School
19 Ombersley Terrace, Opawa, Christchurch
What’s included in your ticket
- Full Ticket: You will have admission to the full two days of the conference, including morning tea, lunches and dinner on Saturday night for the pizza evening. You will also have the first priority to register for marae-style sleeping at the school, or self-contained campervan parking outside the school.
- Day ticket: You will have admission to the conference for the day of your choice, including morning tea, lunch, dinner (Saturday ticket holders only) or canapes (Sunday ticket holders only).
Accommodation Options
- Shared sleeping space at the Steiner School hall | Free | Registration is mandatory, please email operations@biodynamics.org.nz
- Self-contained campervan parking at the Steiner School | Free | Registration is mandatory, please email operations@biodynamics.org.nz
- Hotel Give | Special Rates available | Use promo code: Biodynamics26 – Discount: 10% | Stay dates: 28/08/2026 – 01/09/2026
Getting there & getting around
- Air New Zealand operates non-stop flights to Christchurch from Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and Nelson with connecting flights available from Air New Zealand serviced regional ports.
- Sounds Air
- Origin Air
Driving/ Car Pooling
- Contact operations@biodynamics.org.nz if you would like to enquire about car pooling with other attendees around Christchurch if you are flying in from outside of Christchurch.
Schedule
Speakers
Hamish McKay
Hamish has spent most of his working life in pioneer, start-up, not-for-profit organisations focussed on agricultural, social, health and environmental issues.
Hamish has been involved with biodynamic agriculture and nutrition for over 50 years. In the 1980‘s he was part of founding the Goethean Science
Research Institute Ltd, Hermes Trilance Ltd (one of the early community financing projects) and the Boama Housing Association
Inc. And in 1989 he was the founding chairman of the Biodynamic Farming & Gardening Association Inc. (now Biodynamic Agriculture
Australia Ltd). Hamish has presented over 500 workshops on biodynamic agriculture and nutrition around Australia as well as UK,
USA, South Africa, Namibia and Brazil. In 2002 Hamish was invited to be CEO of Biodynamic Agriculture
Australia Ltd and in 2009 he established Biodynamics2024 Pty Ltd with the objective to work with others to ensure that
biodynamics/holistic/regenerative AgriCulture be the farming method of choice in Australia by 2024.
Since 2018 Hamish has been collaborating with Charlie Arnott, Regenerative farmer and Educator, holding introductory biodynamic
courses across Australia. To learn more about Hamish and his work, you can listen to a podcast episode with Hamish and Charlie at
https://charliearnott.com.au/s2-e12-hamish-mackay/
Dr Jessica Hutchings
Dr Jessica Hutchings (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Huirapa, Tūhoe, Gujarati) is a nationally and internationally recognised leader in Indigenous food
systems and Māori food and soil sovereignty. She is a founding Trustee of the Papawhakaritorito Charitable Trust and a key
advocate for Hua Parakore (Māori organics), working at the intersections of Indigenous knowledge, whānau wellbeing, and
environmental justice for over three decades. A Hua Parakore verified family food grower, researcher, writer, and
activist. She is the author of Pātaka Kai: Growing Kai Sovereignty and the Te Mahi Oneone and Te Mahi Māra Hua Parakore
handbooks. In 2023, she was a finalist for New Zealander of the Year (Environment) and named one of New Zealand’s Top 50
Influential Women in Food and Drink. Jessica is a lead contributor to the Mana Wāhine Declaration for
Hineahuone - a Māori Women’s Declaration for Soil and Seed that was presented at Navdanya in India as part of a global Indigenous
gathering for Earth democracy. She also features in Seeds of Unity, a short film documenting Indigenous seed and soil relationships
between Aotearoa and India, and is a collaborator and presenter on the TV series Hua Parakore: Rebuilding Our Broken Food System
Monique Macfarlane
As a holistic food systems facilitator, Monique Macfarlane of Natural Wisdom
teaches a variety of workshops such as biodynamics, planting by the moon, nodig
food growing, seasonal approaches to gardening and community-sufficiency.
She co-creates with biodynamic, organic, regenerative, no-till, and natural
principles on four hectares in Waihi that includes a small market garden, orchard, beloved cows, chickens, agroforestry and rewilding native bush.
Her heartfelt passion for food, localisation, and thriving nature is the foundation of her incredible offerings. Monique is an EatNZ Kaitaki, creates a bi-monthly cosmic gardening calendar for the Soil & Health Association, has been a keynote speaker internationally at the
Goetheanum, and finds her greatest joy in helping people back to the land, and themselves. Weaving anthroposophy and biodynamics closer together in New Zealand is her current task, breathing deeper life into our soils, our hearts and our being.
Learn more about Moniques work at https://www.natural-wisdom.net
Dr Leane Makey
Dr Leane Makey is an early career researcher, marine ecologist, and ecosystem restoration practitioner. Her work looks at how people and nature are connected, and how we can restore ecosystems in ways that are ethical, respectful of Indigenous knowledge, and mindful of the wider living world. Leane’s 20 plus years of hands-on experience in environmental management and restoration across New Zealand and Australia have shaped her PhD research. She’s also a part-time sheep farmer, bringing practical experience on the land to her research and teaching.
Workshops
Saturday Pizza Night & Stargazing
- When
Saturday 29th August, 5pm – 7pm
- Where
Christchurch Rudolph Steiner School
19 Ombersley Terrace, Opawa, Christchurch
- What’s happening?
All full conference ticket holders are invited to join us for dinner at the School after Day 1 of the event. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together to connect in a relaxed setting with woodfired pizzas made onsite by the team at the Steiner school.
- Pizza: Handmade, woodfired pizzas.
- Star gazing: Led by two very knowledgeable and well-practiced biodynamic practitioners, we will also use the opportunity to enjoy some time looking upwards to learn more about the stars and their cosmic influence on our practice.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Download the Sponsorship Brochure here.
Enjoy the opportunity to support the association through a sponsorship package.
We would be delighted to showcase your business or brand through our channels in kind for generous sponsorship of the conference.