Episode 77 - Inside the Value Chain Innovation Programme

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Lincoln University’s Professor Hamish Gow about the Value Chain Innovation Programme, run by Rural Leaders.

Hamish explains how the programme takes participants inside New Zealand’s dairy, kiwifruit, apple and red meat sectors to understand how value is created, captured and shared, and why the real learning happens on the bus as farmers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders connect and challenge their thinking.

 

Guest:

• Hamish Gow, Lincoln University

Host:

• Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Country-Wide

 

Lincoln University’s Hamish Gow is helping reshape how New Zealand’s food and fibre leaders understand the value created beyond the farm gate through the Value Chain Innovation Programme, run by Rural Leaders. His focus is on giving participants a clear framework for how value chains work, from creation to capture to sharing across every link.

The programme takes farmers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders through New Zealand’s four major value chains (dairy, kiwifruit, apples and red meat) unpacking how each sector delivers value back to growers and producers. Along the way, participants gain insights into the role of regulation, technology and intellectual property in building competitive advantage, and discover why Fonterra’s global ingredients strategy is just as powerful as a consumer brand.

But for Hamish, the real magic happens on the bus, where discussion, debate and reflection turn site visits into personal “aha” moments. It’s here that participants challenge assumptions, connect with peers they might never otherwise meet, and translate lessons directly into their own businesses.

Applications for the 2026 intake are now open, offering a unique chance to step outside your industry silo and see New Zealand’s food and fibre sector from end to end. For Hamish, the goal is simple: equip leaders with the understanding to drive alignment, create value and strengthen the resilience of our most important export industries.

 

Find out more about the Value Chain Innovation Programme here: https://ruralleaders.co.nz/value-chain-innovation-programme/

 

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