At AgriTechNZ, we’re focused on unleashing the full potential of a smart agritech ecosystem through adoption, investment, enabling infrastructure, talent/training and policy. The Life Sciences Summit 2026 pulls those same levers together across the wider bioeconomy, with sessions that are genuinely relevant to agritech and the primary industries.
If you’re building solutions for sustainable production, climate outcomes, labour constraints, productivity, traceability, animal health, crop systems, or on-farm decision tools, this programme is designed for you. It’s centred on what it really takes to get innovation into the real world: clear policy direction, credible pathways to market and scaling that works.
As a community of Tech New Zealand, AgriTechNZ members are entitled to 2-for-1 tickets to Life Sciences Summit.
Key agriculture-relevant sessions
Gene technology: from lab to market readiness
The Pathway to Market using Gene Technology: Building Industry and Scientific Community Readiness
As NZ’s gene technology regulatory landscape evolves, this panel digs into what it really takes to commercialise—across regulation, public perception, investment gaps and cross-sector coordination.
Moderator: Carl Ramage (Rautaki Solutions)
Panellists: Michael Leader (Bayer), Dr Abby Thompson (Miruku), Kasey Kime (BioOra)
Biosecurity innovation: protecting value + market access
Safeguarding Value: Biosecurity Innovation for a Prosperous Bioeconomy
A focused session on NZ biosecurity initiatives and science-led tools for pest control and threat prevention—supporting our productive base and export credibility.
Led by Axel Heiser (Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao)
AI + advanced tech: practical impact
Advanced Tech: Transforming Life Sciences — includes AI, IoT, synthetic biology and quantum and what the convergence means for NZ innovation and commercialisation.
How is AI actually being used across the Life Science sectors — a practical view of where AI is improving tools, decisions and efficiency across sectors including agriculture.
Scaling innovation: funding and commercial pathways
From lab to investment: A founder’s journey — how to position innovation for funding.
Pathway to raising capital: Funding for Innovation — investors and ecosystem builders on funding pathways and building a stronger capital environment in NZ.
Quickfire Innovation Showcase
A fast-paced snapshot of NZ innovators across agriculture, animal health, food and primary-sector biotech.
Featuring:
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Rob Kelly (Tertiary Extracts Ōtautahi) — agriculture / environmental
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Rana Ali (Cadmus Animal Health) — animal health
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Dr Abby Thompson (Miruku) — food innovation
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George Reeves (Ruminant Biotech) — agriculture
(plus other cross-sector biotech speakers)
Plus: Expo open, networking throughout, and an evening celebration and awards.
📍 Location: Tākina, Wellington 🗓️ Dates: Monday 9 – Wednesday 11 March 2026