AgriTech New Zealand: A story of growing together
This information, collected in 2023, details the origin story of AgriTech New Zealand. We thank all those who took the time to share their perspectives.
Timeline
- 1987 – New Zealand Agritech Inc. (NZA) founded
- 2013 – Precision Agriculture Association of New Zealand (PAANZ) founded
- 2018 – AgriTech New Zealand launched at the 10 Billion Mouths event of Techweek.
- 2019 – AgriTech New Zealand merges with PAANZ.
From the whenua (land) to the world
The story of AgriTech New Zealand begins not with a business plan or funding pitch, but with the land – the whenua. Since Māori first arrived in Aotearoa, a deep connection to place, food, and stewardship has defined how people lived and thrived.
For over a century, New Zealand has built a global reputation as a trusted food producer. Farmers and growers have responded to challenges with ingenuity, resilience, and world-class innovation. From early milking sheds and animal genetics to advanced sensors and robotic harvesters, each generation has reimagined what’s possible. This continuous cycle of problem-solving is now known as “agritech” – but the spirit behind it is much older.
AgriTech New Zealand was established in 2018, but its roots stretch back decades through a winding journey of collaboration, reinvention, and global vision. This is the story of that journey, and the people who shaped it.
Building the foundation – New Zealand Agritech Inc. (1987 – 2010)
In the late 1980s, New Zealand Agritech Inc. (NZA) became the first formal industry group representing companies developing agricultural technology. Supported by Trade NZ (the equivalent of New Zealand Trade & Enterprise), NZA provided a hub for innovators working in animal genetics, weigh scales, milk metering, electric fences, farm software, and more.
NZA served as the conduit between the industry and the government by facilitating offshore trade shows, enhancing the industry’s capabilities through training and seminars, offering networking opportunities, and advocating on behalf of the sector.
It was an operating partnership model focused on harnessing the power of the network and the support of industry leaders, including Sir William Gallagher, Colin Harvey, Jim Grennell, and others, to develop the sector. There was a sense of, ‘We all stand together and rise together.’
During this period, companies such as Gallagher, LIC, and Tru-Test were already exporting and driving technical advancements, from electric fences to milk metering, that helped make New Zealand a global leader in livestock systems.
“Robin Davidson saw the opportunity to create a cluster or centre of excellence around agritech.” Bridgit Hawkins.
Robin Davidson was an early advocate and champion of New Zealand’s agritech sector. Under Davidson’s leadership, NZA coordinated export campaigns, hosted international delegations, and helped companies tap into global markets. For many, she was both a mentor and a connector. Bridgit Hawkins, a former Chair of AgriTech New Zealand, has fond memories of working with Davidson at Trade New Zealand in the 1990s.
“Robin recognised that New Zealand had a unique level of expertise around agriculture that could be applied to agritech. Getting people to think about the global opportunities for New Zealand agritech companies was a key part of Robin’s legacy. The goal was to grow a new sector and see more New Zealand companies succeeding globally. Robin worked very gently but persuasively to influence people to move out of their comfort zone and work together.” Bridgit Hawkins.
Other notable standouts during that period include Gallagher, often regarded as New Zealand’s first agritech company. Bill Gallagher Senior founded the company that bears his name in 1938. His son, Bill Junior – now Sir William Gallagher – joined the company in 1962 and helped grow it into a multi-million-dollar business with a global footprint.
“Agritech is a relatively new word, but that’s what we were doing back then. Technology in agriculture is a lot more complex today compared to 20 or 30 years ago, when it wasn’t as economically viable. It’s much more affordable and accessible for farmers today, and it’s been great to see the progress that’s been made in the agritech sector.” Sir William Gallagher.
By the mid-2000s, however, the government shifted its approach. Trade NZ became NZTE, and funding for collective efforts, such as NZA, was withdrawn in favour of direct company support. Despite more than 100 members, NZA lost momentum and was absorbed into the National Fieldays Society in 2011. It was a quiet end to what had once been a vibrant collaboration.
A decline in confidence in the 90s
In 1988, the then Prime Minister, David Lange, infamously declared that farming was a ‘sunset industry’. He turned out to be wrong, of course. Agriculture and the primary sector remain the most significant contributors to New Zealand’s economy, but the industry went through a lull in the 1990s.
Institutions like Massey University scaled back agricultural courses, and farming was seen as an outdated, manual profession. In a period when agriculture was perceived as old-fashioned, finding peers was challenging.
“I grew up on a farm and went to Massey Unviversity in the early 1990s. Farming wasn’t seen as very interesting. People felt that farmers had no life, they were paid poorly, and it was considered to be tough manual work. ‘Why would you want to be a farmer?’ was the attitude back then.” Matt Flowerday.
That slowly began to change. Growing awareness of climate change, biodiversity loss, and water use reignited interest in how food was produced. International consumers wanted transparency and sustainability. New Zealand farmers started looking to technology for answers.
The rise of Precision Agriculture Association of New Zealand (PAANZ) 2014 – 2020
Out of a 2011 conference at Lincoln University came a bold idea: an industry group focused on precision agriculture – the use of sensors, mapping, and analytics to optimise productivity and reduce waste.
The Precision Agriculture Association of New Zealand (PAANZ) was established in 2012, led by a diverse group of farmers, scientists, and agri-business professionals. Founding members included Jim Grennell, Ian Yule, Brendan O’Connell, Roger Robson-Williams, Mike Manning, Warwick Catto, Robyn Dynes and Dan Bloomer, with Peter Barrowclough as Chair and the first event held on Craige Mackenzie’s Methven farm.
“Our mission at PAANZ was to promote technology that made a difference to the farmer.” Craige Mackenzie.
PAANZ connected research, policy, and on-farm innovation, advocating for better connectivity, improved tools, and real-world trials. With support from growers, scientists and companies, it created momentum for the next phase of growth.
PAANZ established connections with the government and hosted representatives from Treasury, MPI and other agencies on farm visits.
“We pushed them on policy decisions and challenged them to do something about the issues facing farmers, for example, poor wifi connectivity in rural areas. Our argument was if you want farmers to do the right thing for the environment, you’ve got to supply them with the tools to do that.” Craige Mackenzie.
In 2013, with the support of Armin Werner from Lincoln Agritech, PAANZ bid for and won the right to host the International Asian Conference on Precision Agriculture. In October 2017, 500 farmers, scientists and agri-business experts from the Asia-Pacific, Australia and New Zealand gathered at Claudelands in Hamilton for the PA-17 conference. The event included discussions on site-specific farming, data management, robotic farming and grassland management.
AgriTech New Zealand is born (2018)
In May 2018, AgriTech New Zealand (AgriTechNZ) was launched at the ‘10 Billion Mouths’ conference in Tauranga by Peter and Jacqui Wren-Hilton of Wharf42. The new association was formed within the NZTech Group with funding, process and shared purpose enabled by Graeme Muller along with the support of Fonterra, LIC, Gallagher, Zespri, NZTE, Callaghan Innovation, Plant & Food Research, and MPI.
“How do we attract some of that investment into New Zealand? I realised there was very little investment going across the Pacific into New Zealand and couldn’t understand why, considering our agricultural heritage.” Peter Wren-Hilton
The 10 Billion Mouths’ conference aimed to explore how New Zealand agriculture and agritech responded to the challenge of a predicted global population of 10 billion by 2050 – so it was a fitting time to announce the new association. A delegation of global investors, scientists, entrepreneurs, and industry giants attended the conference to develop stronger ties with New Zealand and global agritech networks. Bayer CropScience, CropX, Finistere Ventures, Innovation Endeavours, Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), Microsoft, Rabobank, and the Western Growers Association were part of the delegation, which met with more than 30 innovative startups, as well as New Zealand agritech and food industry players.
“The calibre of the companies attending the conference caused a lot of New Zealand entrepreneurs and startups to sit up and take notice of what we were doing. It gave AgriTechNZ a lot of credibility from day one.” Peter Wren-Hilton
In his keynote speech investor and entrepreneur Arama Kukutai noted one of the aims of the conference and the new AgriTechNZ association was “to develop strong and lasting connections between New Zealand and the flourishing international agritech ecosystem, to start building the relationships we think are critical to innovation and commercialisation opportunities between New Zealand’s fantastic tech community and the world.”
The sector unites behind one voice (2019)
In 2019, PAANZ and AgriTechNZ merged, providing the sector with a single representative voice. Sarah Hindle became Chair, helping to grow structure and alignment.
In 2020 with the launch of the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP). Co-developed by government and industry, it validated agritech as a standalone sector. It brought strategic alignment, funding, and deepened links with MBIE, NZTE, Callaghan Innovation and MPI.
The ITP officially concluded in 2023, but its legacy lives on in stronger government partnerships, clearer policy dialogue, and a more confident sector identity.
“AgriTechNZ has paved the way for a lot of activity that has benefited Members, non-members and others in the ecosystem.” Kylie Horomia, AgriTechNZ
Today, AgriTechNZ remains independent, funded by its 160+ Members and guided by a diverse Executive Council featuring representatives from some of the most innovative and successful businesses in Aotearoa. It plays a pivotal role in bringing people together, from policy to paddock.
Innovations such as drones, sensors, and virtual fencing, along with the evolution of the start-up economy, corporate investments, commercial pathways, and data exchange, demonstrate significant advancements in the sector.
“Get out there and have a look. Do some desk work, understand your markets, and then build relationships. That’s how we did it. New Zealand companies can do it too.” Sir William Gallagher.
Looking ahead
Technology will be at the heart of how we grow, distribute, and protect food in the years to come – especially as we face global challenges like climate change, resource scarcity, and food insecurity. But the future of agritech won’t be defined by a single breakthrough or organisation.
At AgriTech New Zealand, we believe the future will be shaped by collaboration – through strong regional leadership, trusted global alliances, and innovation that is deeply grounded in place. As Aotearoa’s agritech ecosystem continues to evolve, our greatest strength will lie in our ability to stay connected to our roots while reaching confidently toward the world.
By working together, we can create solutions that not only serve our own land and people, but offer real value to others – solutions shaped by integrity, science, and a shared sense of purpose.
“The goal is to strengthen international links and build stronger pathways for New Zealand businesses to connect and interact on a global stage. As the saying goes – we are stronger together.” Brendan O’Connell.
Join the ecosystem and help build the next part of the journey – BECOME A MEMBER
PHOTO: 2024 Executive Council Members
PHOTO: 2023 Executive Council Members