Cannabis Europa London returns on 26-27 May 2026, bringing together operators, investors, clinicians, and policymakers from across the global cannabis industry for two days of main-stage debate, exhibition, and networking. This article is part of a series published by Business of Cannabis ahead of the event, drawing on the perspectives of Cannabis Europa’s leading sponsors and speakers — the figures setting the commercial, clinical, and regulatory agenda for cannabis in Europe and beyond.
Carmen Doran is Chair of the New Zealand Medical Cannabis Council (NZMCC), and Rawiri Manawatu is a representative of Ngai Tahu, one of New Zealand’s most significant Māori iwi. Both form part of the New Zealand delegation at Cannabis Europa London, where New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is making its case to European operators, investors and clinicians. Business of Cannabis spoke to them ahead of the event.
26–27 May 2026 · Barbican, London Cannabis Europa Two days of policy, capital and clinical strategy at the Barbican — convening operators, investors, regulators and clinicians from across the European cannabis market.
Get Your Ticket Now →
Carmen Doran:
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that New Zealand is simply a small domestic market at the edge of the world. In reality, New Zealand has deliberately built a highly pharmaceutical-grade regulatory framework that aligns closely with international GMP expectations and positions the sector for export credibility from day one.
“What is often overlooked is the sophistication and agility of the ecosystem. Because the market is smaller, operators, regulators, clinicians and industry bodies work relatively closely together, allowing New Zealand to move quickly, maintain high standards and adapt pragmatically as the industry evolves. That combination of regulatory credibility and collaborative culture is something many larger markets struggle to achieve.”
Carmen Doran:
“New Zealand offers a unique combination of agricultural expertise, innovation capability and trusted international reputation.
“The country already has strong experience operating in highly regulated export industries including food, horticulture and biotechnology, which translates strongly into medicinal cannabis. We also have a strong innovation and start-up ecosystem, particularly in the health and wellness space, with companies used to solving problems creatively and bringing new technologies and products to market quickly.
“From a cultivation perspective, New Zealand’s climate, biosecurity advantages and reputation for clean, sustainable production are important differentiators. But perhaps the hardest thing to replicate is the ability for industry, government and research communities to collaborate relatively effectively in a small and connected ecosystem. That creates opportunities for innovation and product development that can move faster than in many larger jurisdictions.”
Carmen Doran, Chair of the New Zealand Medical Cannabis Council
Rawiri Manawatu:
“What Aotearoa New Zealand offers is not simply a cultivation environment – it is a deep connection between people, place and plant medicine that has existed for generations.
“My iwi (tribe) Ngāti Kurī / Ngāi Tahu have cultivated and worked with rongoā (plant medicines) for centuries, guided by mātauranga Māori (tribal knowledge) and a relationship with Te Taiao the natural world. That knowledge has been protected and passed down through generations.
“Our farm sits between the mountains and the sea, in a place of deep cultural significance to my people. For us, this is more than a cultivation site – it is home, whakapapa (genealogy), and the living presence of our ancestors. The sunlight, soil, fresh ocean air and alpine water all contribute to the mauri (life force) within our cannabis medicines.
“That connection is difficult to replicate in large-scale industrial cultivation systems. Many markets can produce cannabis, but very few can produce plant medicines so deeply connected to provenance, environmental purity and cultural identity.
“New Zealand also combines these natural advantages with one of the world’s most trusted regulatory and quality frameworks. International markets know New Zealand for integrity, environmental stewardship and high production standards. In medicinal cannabis, trust matters enormously.
“For us, cannabis is not a commodity. It is a taonga (treasure), something to be nurtured with care and respect. Our aspiration is to share our story globally as an offering that carries the history of our people, our place and our knowledge.
“Ultimately, what New Zealand offers is more than premium product quality. It offers authenticity, provenance and a medicine deeply connected to the land. In a rapidly commercialising global industry, that human and cultural connection is becoming increasingly rare – and increasingly valuable.”
Carmen Doran:
“Primarily as partners. New Zealand is unlikely to compete on sheer scale against some established global cultivation markets, but it is very well positioned as a trusted supplier of high-quality medicinal products, specialised genetics, R&D capability and innovation partnerships.
“Over the next few years, I expect to see stronger relationships develop around clinical research, manufacturing partnerships, IP development and supply agreements into Europe, particularly as European markets continue to mature and diversify beyond commodity flower.
“There is also growing recognition that resilient global supply chains benefit from geographic diversity. New Zealand’s counter-seasonal production capability and stable regulatory environment make it an attractive long-term partner within that global ecosystem.”
Rawiri Manawatu:
“We see the future relationship with Europe being built first and foremost on whakawhanaungatanga (strong and enduring relationships).
“In the near term, New Zealand operators, will enter European markets as trusted suppliers of premium medicinal cannabis products. Markets such as the UK and Germany are growing rapidly and are seeking consistent, high-quality medicines with strong provenance and regulatory credibility.
“But ultimately, we believe lasting relationships are built on trust, shared values and genuine connection.
“For Māori, partnership is deeply important. The concept of kotahitanga (unity and working together) is central to how we approach business and collaboration. We see significant opportunities to partner with European distributors, manufacturers and clinics in ways that create long-term value for patients and the wider industry.
“We bring not only premium product, but also indigenous knowledge, environmental understanding and generations of experience cultivating plant medicines. We want to contribute meaningfully to the global industry while remaining grounded in the values and identity that define who we are.
“There will naturally be more competition as the European market matures, but as Māori we do not see partnership and competition as opposing ideas. We believe it is possible to work together in ways that are respectful, productive and mutually beneficial.
“New Zealand’s strength lies in producing differentiated cannabis medicines with a strong story of origin, sustainability and quality – products that patients and prescribers trust.
“For us, success is not measured only by exports or market share. It is about creating something our people can be proud of – sharing a product with the world that reflects our whenua, our culture and the values handed down by our ancestors.”
The post Voices of Cannabis Europa: Carmen Doran, Chair of the NZMCC, & Rawiri Manawatu, representative of Ngai Tahu appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
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Carmen Doran is Chair of the New Zealand Medical Cannabis Council (NZMCC), and Rawiri Manawatu is a representative of Ngai Tahu, one of New Zealand’s most significant Māori iwi. Both form part of the New Zealand delegation at Cannabis Europa London, where New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is making its case to European operators, investors and clinicians. Business of Cannabis spoke to them ahead of the event.
26–27 May 2026 · Barbican, London Cannabis Europa Two days of policy, capital and clinical strategy at the Barbican — convening operators, investors, regulators and clinicians from across the European cannabis market.
Get Your Ticket Now →
New Zealand has built a distinctive medical cannabis regulatory framework. For European operators and investors looking at the Pacific market, what is the single most important thing they currently misunderstand or overlook?
Carmen Doran:
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that New Zealand is simply a small domestic market at the edge of the world. In reality, New Zealand has deliberately built a highly pharmaceutical-grade regulatory framework that aligns closely with international GMP expectations and positions the sector for export credibility from day one.
“What is often overlooked is the sophistication and agility of the ecosystem. Because the market is smaller, operators, regulators, clinicians and industry bodies work relatively closely together, allowing New Zealand to move quickly, maintain high standards and adapt pragmatically as the industry evolves. That combination of regulatory credibility and collaborative culture is something many larger markets struggle to achieve.”
What does New Zealand genuinely offer that European cannabis markets cannot easily replicate – in terms of cultivation, product quality, regulatory design, or something else entirely?
Carmen Doran:
“New Zealand offers a unique combination of agricultural expertise, innovation capability and trusted international reputation.
“The country already has strong experience operating in highly regulated export industries including food, horticulture and biotechnology, which translates strongly into medicinal cannabis. We also have a strong innovation and start-up ecosystem, particularly in the health and wellness space, with companies used to solving problems creatively and bringing new technologies and products to market quickly.
“From a cultivation perspective, New Zealand’s climate, biosecurity advantages and reputation for clean, sustainable production are important differentiators. But perhaps the hardest thing to replicate is the ability for industry, government and research communities to collaborate relatively effectively in a small and connected ecosystem. That creates opportunities for innovation and product development that can move faster than in many larger jurisdictions.”
Carmen Doran, Chair of the New Zealand Medical Cannabis Council
Rawiri Manawatu:
“What Aotearoa New Zealand offers is not simply a cultivation environment – it is a deep connection between people, place and plant medicine that has existed for generations.
“My iwi (tribe) Ngāti Kurī / Ngāi Tahu have cultivated and worked with rongoā (plant medicines) for centuries, guided by mātauranga Māori (tribal knowledge) and a relationship with Te Taiao the natural world. That knowledge has been protected and passed down through generations.
“Our farm sits between the mountains and the sea, in a place of deep cultural significance to my people. For us, this is more than a cultivation site – it is home, whakapapa (genealogy), and the living presence of our ancestors. The sunlight, soil, fresh ocean air and alpine water all contribute to the mauri (life force) within our cannabis medicines.
“That connection is difficult to replicate in large-scale industrial cultivation systems. Many markets can produce cannabis, but very few can produce plant medicines so deeply connected to provenance, environmental purity and cultural identity.
“New Zealand also combines these natural advantages with one of the world’s most trusted regulatory and quality frameworks. International markets know New Zealand for integrity, environmental stewardship and high production standards. In medicinal cannabis, trust matters enormously.
“For us, cannabis is not a commodity. It is a taonga (treasure), something to be nurtured with care and respect. Our aspiration is to share our story globally as an offering that carries the history of our people, our place and our knowledge.
“Ultimately, what New Zealand offers is more than premium product quality. It offers authenticity, provenance and a medicine deeply connected to the land. In a rapidly commercialising global industry, that human and cultural connection is becoming increasingly rare – and increasingly valuable.”
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How do you see the relationship between New Zealand operators and the European market developing over the next two to three years – as suppliers, partners or competitors?
Carmen Doran:
“Primarily as partners. New Zealand is unlikely to compete on sheer scale against some established global cultivation markets, but it is very well positioned as a trusted supplier of high-quality medicinal products, specialised genetics, R&D capability and innovation partnerships.
“Over the next few years, I expect to see stronger relationships develop around clinical research, manufacturing partnerships, IP development and supply agreements into Europe, particularly as European markets continue to mature and diversify beyond commodity flower.
“There is also growing recognition that resilient global supply chains benefit from geographic diversity. New Zealand’s counter-seasonal production capability and stable regulatory environment make it an attractive long-term partner within that global ecosystem.”
Rawiri Manawatu:
“We see the future relationship with Europe being built first and foremost on whakawhanaungatanga (strong and enduring relationships).
“In the near term, New Zealand operators, will enter European markets as trusted suppliers of premium medicinal cannabis products. Markets such as the UK and Germany are growing rapidly and are seeking consistent, high-quality medicines with strong provenance and regulatory credibility.
“But ultimately, we believe lasting relationships are built on trust, shared values and genuine connection.
“For Māori, partnership is deeply important. The concept of kotahitanga (unity and working together) is central to how we approach business and collaboration. We see significant opportunities to partner with European distributors, manufacturers and clinics in ways that create long-term value for patients and the wider industry.
“We bring not only premium product, but also indigenous knowledge, environmental understanding and generations of experience cultivating plant medicines. We want to contribute meaningfully to the global industry while remaining grounded in the values and identity that define who we are.
“There will naturally be more competition as the European market matures, but as Māori we do not see partnership and competition as opposing ideas. We believe it is possible to work together in ways that are respectful, productive and mutually beneficial.
“New Zealand’s strength lies in producing differentiated cannabis medicines with a strong story of origin, sustainability and quality – products that patients and prescribers trust.
“For us, success is not measured only by exports or market share. It is about creating something our people can be proud of – sharing a product with the world that reflects our whenua, our culture and the values handed down by our ancestors.”
The post Voices of Cannabis Europa: Carmen Doran, Chair of the NZMCC, & Rawiri Manawatu, representative of Ngai Tahu appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
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