Christchurch NZIM CEO Reg Garters has made an appearance with difference at celebration function in Paderborn, Germany. visiting professor at the FHDW University in Paderborn for the past six years, this time he remained in Management House, Christchurch and his alumni event appearance was beamed through Skype video link-up.
“It was moving experience for me to hear the cheer go up from past students when we went live,” Garters said. “There was big turnout, about 450 and they were obviously having great time. I told the audience how much I enjoyed my annual assignments over there and that I had made so many friends – I feel Paderborn in some ways is my second home.”
What struck him after the link-up signed off, was that this method of communication will play an increasingly greater role in the future. “The technology connection we had wasn’t that great but it served the purpose they were seeking and the technology will only get better,” Garters said.
“When we consider the hours we spend travelling around the country and the world, there must be an increasing role for this technology to play part in increasing our productivity and return on time. Of course you can’t beat eyeball to eyeball but as the technology is enhanced the virtual will become so much reality.”
Agri experts warn New Zealand’s food and fibre future could arrive by default rather than by design
Management Editorial Team
June 24, 2026
Despite near universal optimism in the rural sector, a panel of New Zealand’s leading food and agri minds say the sector must be intentional about its future path if it’s
