February 12, 2026 @ 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
The inaugural New Zealand Biological Symposium is designed to bring together growers, researchers, innovators, policymakers & agribusinesses keen to build a connected ag biological community in New Zealand.
With Platform10’s global network of partners, Wharf42’s hope is that this community will be able to more effectively engage with the rapidly growing international biological movement.
Whilst the full program is still in development, the following key presentations have already been confirmed.
- New Zealand’s newly constituted Bioeconomy Science Institute will present their biological-focused pipeline and some examples across that, and how it supports Platform10.
- Bay of Plenty based Zespri will provide details of their biological research work and how it supports kiwifruit growers transition away from chemical pesticides.
- ‘A Lighter Touch’, a major HortNZ & Government initiative, will talk about how their program supports growers shift from a reliance on agri-chemistry to more sustainable crop protection practices.
- Animal & Plant Health New Zealand (APHNZ) will share their vision & roadmap to achieve a balanced and science-based regulatory environment that gives members freedom to operate and grow in New Zealand.
- The University of Waikato’s Coastal Marine Field Station will demonstrate how groundbreaking research on marine ecosystems & interdisciplinary collaboration is driving sustainability in New Zealand’s blue economy.
- Wharf42 is partnering with AgritechNZ to identify 5 early-stage New Zealand-based biological businesses to each deliver a 5-minute pitch to the Symposium delegates. If you are New Zealand-based and are interested in being part of this program, please email your interest and details to platform10@salinas-summit.com
We’re also delighted that the Symposium will be joined in Tauranga by Dennis Donohue, Director, Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology. Dennis, co-founder of Platform10, will be flying in from Salinas, California where we are co-hosting next year’s 2026 Salinas Biological Summit.