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Technology shaping the future of NZ productivity

Wednesday, April 28th, 2021

Tāmaki Makaurau – Technology is shaping the future of agriculture which will help inject a massive impetus into the New Zealand economy, AgriTechNZ chief executive Brendan O’Connell says.

It’s a double impact, with exports of agricultural technologies growing and many of those same technologies transforming what agriculture and horticulture looks like in Aotearoa, he says. 

Agritech underpins current levels of primary industry productivity and is leading new levels of performance and sustainability. Much of what is happening now is building on the digital foundations for agriculture in and from New Zealand.

“The technologies behind our genetic gains, farm modelling and management systems have enabled the growth of our primary industries. Now new tools are building on these digital foundations to drive the next levels of productivity and sustainability on farm.

“We are seeing the use of environmental sensors to quickly identify and manage a range of farm issues. That includes automating the right time, rate and place to irrigate on a pastoral farm as well as addressing problematic microclimates in controlled environment systems such as indoor and vertical farms, which are extensive around the world.

“Image sensors are used in the development of facial recognition for animal identification and fruit counting and sizing applications. These are all tasks that, when automated, significantly improve the productive output of our farms whilst mitigating environmental impacts.

“This ability to match farming knowledge with technology development is a New Zealand strength and links well to findings in the recent Productivity Commission report.”

The report encourages government investment on areas of existing or emerging economic strength and competitive advantage. A small country can excel in only a limited number of areas that can get to critical mass and support sustained world-class competitive performance.

Exporting distinctive products at scale is the way to reach for the global frontier, and New Zealand’s ability to innovate in food production is surely distinctive in the eyes of both global consumers and food producers.

O’Connell says these strengths are recognised in a new $40 million dollar investment fund aimed at companies capable of amplifying New Zealand’s ability to curtail environmental impacts whilst producing better foods, globally.

The fund was launched by US based Finistere Ventures in partnership with New Zealand Growth Capital Partners, and will be based in Palmerston North at The Factory, a leading R&D and company incubation cluster that has a longstanding relationship with Finistere. 

The agritech industry transformation plan released last year sets out key areas for the economic development of the sector and lines up well with many of the findings of the Productivity Commission.

“In addition to addressing issues around investment, it is targeting our ability to match our research and development capabilities with international opportunities.”

O’Connell sees abundant potential in bridging current gaps in the outputs from New Zealand’s investment and resources in research, compared to similar sized countries.

He identifies with the Productivity Commission’s determination that, to make progress, the right level of sustained investment is required. The government will need to make significant investments in infrastructure, research and people to complement the efforts and investments of the business sector, he says.

For further information contact Brendan O’Connell on 021 369740 or NZTech’s media specialist, Make Lemonade editor-in-chief Kip Brook on 0275 030188

Posted in General

AgriTechNZ news: Celebrating agritech

Wednesday, April 14th, 2021

During the last few months, I’ve been travelling the country hosting the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) update roadshow with David Downs from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). In total, we’ve hosted over 600 attendees and received valuable feedback on what is most important to our agritech community. The touring has also enabled me to visit with local innovators across the regions.

Throughout Aotearoa, there is great work being done by a diverse range of people, all translating the potential of technology for the benefit of agriculture. I’m reminded of the phrase coined by John Deere, “Feet on the ground, eyes on the horizon” and think of the role we play in enabling innovative technology solutions. It’s an interesting combination of inspiring possibilities and realising opportunities. Each of us is part of this technology community, with shared interests in the wider primary industry sector. We are agritech!

The roadshow has also highlighted the importance of links to global opportunities, support and approaches to enabling commercialisation of great ideas, plus the sector demands for greater levels of data interoperability. These topics are too vast to detail here, but remain a key focus as we work with our agency partners to benefit from the ITP.

Meanwhile, AgriTechNZ members and participants are well represented at this year’s Hi-Tech Awards. Bluelab, Hectre, AgriSea, Levno and Way Beyond are all 2021 finalists. Congratulations on the recognition and the growing role of agritech in our national tech ecosystem.

We are delighted to partner with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to host an insightful webinar, Cultivating Fertile Futures in Japan on 27 April. This session will explore new agritech opportunities in the world’s third biggest economy.

Looking ahead to next month, Techweek2021 includes the 2021 Rural Connectivity Symposium on 25 May in Hamilton and Computer vision AI in horticulture – swipe right for a career in hort on 26 May in Auckland. More events are being added regularly, so remember to keep checking back.

However, before Techweek2021 we have the final two ITP sessions in Tauranga on 28 April and Tairāwhiti Gisborne on 30 April.

I’m also looking forward to E-Tipu 2021 – The BOMA NZ Agri Summit on 11-12 May in Christchurch. It’s an exciting lineup of speakers and events. We still have exclusive member discounts available, so please contact us for your promo code.

Ngā mihi

Brendan
CEO
AgriTech New Zealand

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Posted in Archive

AgriTechNZ news: Opportunities to engage and shape our ecosystem

Tuesday, March 9th, 2021

After another hiatus, I’m grateful that we can return to the events and engagements that help shape our agritech ecosystem.

These days, we may be building businesses, developing knowledge, raising money, collaborating or selling online, but there really is something about meeting with key people in our industry, face to face.  This is especially true when there is so much activity in developing policy and the shared conditions that will enable progress for our sector.  Whether you are looking to build your network, keep informed, find solutions, get inspired or influence, the next few months are full of opportunity.

Next week, we continue the kōrero on the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP), its purpose and progress.  David Downs and I will be in 
New Plymouth on Monday 15 March and Nelson on Thursday 18 March.  We’ve also rescheduled the Hamilton and Tauranga events to April 13 and 28, respectively.  We have also added an event in Tairāwhiti Gisborne on 30 April.  These sessions are popular and helping shape some of the next steps in the ITP projects and workstreams.

One of the current projects related to the ITP is the activation of Agritech Story.  If you haven’t checked out the available materials, take a look here.  We are collaborating with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and Callaghan Innovation on workshops to co-create a campaign  and the evolution of these materials.  If you are currently telling your own story internationally and would like to participate in any of these workshops, please contact us.

MobilTECH Ag 2021 is coming soon on 23-24 March in Rotorua.  It’s not too late to secure your ticket using our member discount code.  This is a valuable industry event with a focus on agritech providers and this year’s theme is smart data innovations.

On 14 April, we are partnering with the New Zealand IoT Alliance to host an event highlighting the progress and potential for connected agritech solutions in our primary industries.  While rural connectivity remains a constraint to the wider deployment of sensor and connected devices across Aotearoa, there are some markers of progress that we want to highlight and discuss.  I’m expecting some very good discussions, so please come along if you’re in Auckland.

We’re also looking forward to participating in the New Zealand AgriFood Week running 3-9 May in Palmerston North.

Also, coming soon is E Tipu 2021: The Boma NZ Agri Summit.  The two day event hosts local and international speakers, interactive workshops, valuable cross-sector networking and more. AgriTechNZ is an E Tipu 2021 Partner, so we are pleased to share special ticket pricing, valid until 19 March.  Contact us for the discount code to save $100 off early bird tickets.  Registrations are also open for Fieldays Innovations Awards 2021, so consider joining this important showcase.

As I said, there is no shortage of opportunity to engage and shape the ecosystem.  I look forward to seeing you out there.

Ngā mihi

Brendan
CEO
AgriTech New Zealand


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Posted in Archive

New Zealand and Australian MOU strengthens trans-Tasman Agritech Sector

Wednesday, February 24th, 2021

AgriTech New Zealand (AgriTechNZ) and The Australian Agritech Association (AusAgritech) are member organisations promoting technology development and adoption that seeks to revolutionise the value of the agricultural and food sectors. Both organisations share the same goals to promote and advocate for the opportunities and challenges across the Agritech sector.

Today AusAgritech and AgriTechNZ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ignite support for the Agritech industry within Australia and New Zealand. The MOU has been designed to highlight the regional opportunities of a collaborative Agritech hub in the trans-Tasman region.

The chairman of AusAgritech, Andrew Coppin, said “This is a wonderful development for Agritech in this region. The opportunities to work with and collaborate with our friends in New Zealand to deliver better outcomes for farmers, more regional jobs and significant export opportunities for both countries is compelling. This MOU is a further extension and validation of the foundations laid by the Australia New Zealand Agritech Council throughout 2020.”

NZ Agritech Chair, Kenneth Irons, said “Agritech New Zealand is delighted to be formalising its relationship with its sister organisation across the Tasman. Both organisations share a common goal of accelerating the development of agricultural technologies that enable our farmers and growers to increase productivity and profitability, more sustainably. 

He went on to say “By co-signing this Memorandum of Understanding, we can not only more successfully create better value for our two countries’ primary sectors, we can also more successfully promote Australasia to its rightful position as one of the truly great Agritech regions of the world.”

The Australian Agritech Association will promote this activity to relevant Australian government agencies, major Australian agribusiness partners and its rapidly growing cohort of Agritech members. Agritech New Zealand will seek to extend global opportunities of preparing a more formal partnership between the Western Growers Innovation & Technology Center and the vibrant Agritech ecosystem that is developing well in New Zealand, in large part due to the New Zealand government’s Agritech Industry Transformation Plan which the government is implementing in collaboration with AgriTechNZ.


For further information contact:

Andrew Coppin                                                                 Kenneth Irons
Chairman – AusAgritech                                                Chairman – AgriTechNZ
www.ausagritech.org                                                    www.agritechnz.org.nz

Tel. +61 418 909 977                                                       Tel. +64 21 820 121

Posted in AgriTechNZ News

Partnership set to turbo-charge agritech AI research

Thursday, February 11th, 2021

A New Zealand partnership is developing new artificial intelligence (AI) computing power and technology to meet demand from scientists for faster processing of complex research data. 

The PlantTech Research Institute in Tauranga and New Zealand eScience Infrastructure (NeSI) have partnered to accelerate innovative research.

Horticulture and produce are among the first New Zealand industries to benefit from this faster AI computing infrastructure, with PlantTech scientists using it to explore new approaches to data driven horticulture in key sectors, including kiwifruit. 

It will remove computer processing bottlenecks that limit the ability for data scientists to train AI models that learn from high volumes of complex and tightly coupled data. It will also dramatically reduce the turnaround times for current AI research. 

NeSI has procured a first tranche of Nvidia A100 general purpose Graphics Processing Units (GPGPUs) and is working with early adopter communities, including PlantTech, to pilot these new technologies.  

“This is a special collaboration, enhancing the capabilities and support we offer to New Zealand’s agricultural research communities, particularly those working in emerging technologies, such as AI and deep learning,” says NeSI director Nick Jones. 

PlantTech chief executive Dr Mark Begbie says access to the high-performance GPU-based platform is critical for PlantTech’s market driven, horticulture focussed research, as well as for the wider primary sector. 

“Having access to the latest generation of systems brings capabilities that will enable new approaches to highly complex data challenges that will deliver step change benefits across productivity, profitability, sustainability, provenance, and biosecurity,” he says.  

“Achieving the transfer 80-100 times faster is hugely beneficial – a day-and-a-half becomes an hour. But for large data packages, transfer is simply not practically achievable over the internet.”  

“In 2021, this is more important than ever, particularly as the Government focuses on New Zealand’s economic recovery post-COVID-19 and executes the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) to build stronger and more productive horticulture and agriculture sectors.” 

In its first year, the research institute has trialled innovative solutions for the kiwifruit industry, including crop estimation and fruit maturity testing. 

Dr Georgina Rae, NeSI’s science engagement manager, expects the new platform will act as a catalyst for boundary breaking science in New Zealand. 

“Other countries have been exploring these capabilities for years, but having an indigenous, accessible platform in New Zealand will support the momentum we’re seeing build around technology and solutions that support data driven decision making on orchards and farms.”  

Read more. 

Posted in AgriTechNZ News

AgritechNZ news: Valuing our connections

Tuesday, February 9th, 2021

The forced social experiment of the current pandemic leaves me feeling incredibly grateful for our place in the world.  Thankfully, we can connect in person as a local community of interests in global agritech, here in Aotearoa.  We are currently three events into a 10 event roadshow and the interactions are invigorating on many levels.  Later this month, we’ll publish our 2021 calendar of events, providing further opportunities to connect.

Locally and overseas, as a sector, agritech is taking new shape, so there has never been a more important time to consider what collaboration and cooperation, look and feel like.  Our current roadshow includes an update on the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) as workstream activities progress.  The opportunity for industry engagement is key to its success, so we hope you can 
make it to one of the sessions.

Many of you will be aware of the Agritech Story created by New Zealand Story and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).  As part of our ITP work, we are seeking interested parties to join workshops during March and April to take a pulse check and co-create our international campaign.  If you are marketing your business in international markets, or are ready to do so, we would love to hear from you.

We are also making good progress in the creation of a Baseline of Digital Adoption in Primary Industry audit.  This will gauge some of the qualitative and quantitative progress in technology use across different farming systems.  Again, if you would like to support this work, we’re keen to hear from you.

Meanwhile, entries for the Most Innovative Hitech Agritech Solution in the New Zealand Hi Tech awards close on 8 March.  Here’s some tips for writing an entry that will get noticed.  Don’t forget to save the date for the awards dinner on 28 May.Applications are now open for Fieldays Innovation 2021 with revised categories and more prize money, although the real prize is  the global attention these awards receive.  This year, Fieldays is 16-19 June at Mystery Creek, Hamilton. 

Registrations are also open for the Sprout Agritech Accelerator’s second intake, commencing in July.  The Sprout Accelerator is tailor made for each company, focussing on four core areas to enable scalable growth – high margin business models, channels to market, building world class teams, investment readiness and capital raising.  This year’s first cohort has been announced and will soon begin their journey of discovery.  Applications close on 9 June.

Ngā mihi

Brendan
CEO
AgriTech New Zealand


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Posted in AgriTechNZ News

AgriTechNZ News: Valuable opportunities to engage

Tuesday, November 10th, 2020

This month we are covering a lot of ground and gathering in a lot of insights.

As we ‘go to press’ (hit send) on this newsletter, we will be in the middle of our 
Agritech Digital Innovation Week in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and our colleagues in AusAgritech.  It’s not too late to join us, you can still book your place for the remaining sessions.  This is the first of many initiatives we hope to run with our Trans-Tasman cousins at AusAgritech as we seek to lead the world with a globally competitive and connected agritech ecosystem. The AWS team  have brought together global experts, to guide us through the art of the possible, shared through the real customer experience to optimise crop yields, predict equipment failures, improve food traceability, model genomics and improve worker safety.

Next week, we are hosting the team from Finistere Ventures who will provide an update on the current global agritech investment landscape. Globally, investment in agritech is continuing apace and in this session we’ll explore exactly what’s driving that and which areas are securing funding. You can book your place here.  I’m looking forward to an insightful session with the team.

As we continue collaborating on the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP), as always, we’re focussed on the real conditions of change and opportunity for our sector collectively. A recent discussion emphasised the meaning of ‘transformation’ by highlighting it is not an ‘incrementation plan’. We’re seeking to raise the ambition and find the connections to enable 1+1=3!

Over the next  three to four months, we will be creating opportunities to join interactive sessions around the country. These sessions will provide progress updates on ITP work and seek to identify areas for further collaboration and engagement. The first two sessions are confirmed for: 

Christchurch
26 November
2.00 – 4.00 pm
Register here

Auckland 
27 November
12.00 – 2.00pm
Register here
 

We will roll out other sessions throughout New Zealand, after we’ve all taken a well earned breather and put some of the bizarreness of 2020 behind us.

We’re looking forward to hearing from you and exchanging ideas.

Ngā mihi

Brendan
Interim CEO
Agritech New Zealand


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Posted in Archive

Water solutions need big ideas and big investment

Thursday, October 29th, 2020

2020 Water Challenge winners announced

  • Bridge Hub 2020 Water Challenge aimed to solve water problems in the agri supply chain
  • Challenge will commercialise trans-Tasman solutions in Australia and New Zealand to maximise impact

As researchers look to create water out of thin air, the future of agrifood innovation looks bright, but collaboration and investment will be the key to getting ideas off the page and into market, according to Craig Shapiro, co-CEO of Bridge Hub, which has just announced the winners of its 2020 Water Challenge.

Launched in February, the Bridge Hub 2020 Water Challenge aimed to uncover the best and brightest research, the most innovative ideas, and the best startups that positively impact water sustainability across our agrisystem. The global Challenge attracted over 150 researchers and entrepreneurs from Australia, New Zealand and Israel.

Winning solutions as diverse as creating water from air, measuring water with acoustics and sludge-free waste recycling for remote communities highlight that the Water Challenge has been successful in its aim of uncovering some of the leading cutting edge solutions currently being developed.

“The quality of not only the winning solutions but of all the applicants highlights that we have the capacity to achieve anything if we turn our minds to the task at hand. Our ability to solve problems across the entire agrifood supply chain is only limited by our imagination, as long as we have the right frameworks in place,” Craig says.

The Water Challenge has provided recognition and prize money to the winning teams, but just as important, it has created a connected and collaborative community from across the globe, all of whom share Bridge Hub’s passion for solving global water-related problems. 

“While today marks the end of the Water Challenge, it is just the beginning of a bigger journey of working with a global community of like-minded organisations and individuals to transform many of the big ideas and solutions submitted to the Water Challenge into impactful and successful outcomes.”

The Water Challenge wraps up at a time when agrifood research  bodies are increasing their focus on both commercialisation and adoption of research, climate change continues to present global challenges and Australian agriculture considers how it achieves its goal of becoming a $100 billion industry.

Governments in many jurisdictions are allocating significant funding to help underpin the future growth of the agriculture and food sectors with many positive initiatives underway. Many of these include a focus on drought resilience and water quality.

“To solve our water related problems we will always need investment,” Craig says. “The opportunity for future investment in agrifood tech solutions is in many cases enabled by government initiatives but it is private investment that will always be the prime driver to turn great ideas into commercially successful outcomes.”

Craig believes there will be an increasing pool of capital available to be allocated to investment opportunities in the agrifood tech sector. This includes capital from the growing number of global impact investors, who require normal financial returns but also want their investments to have a positive and sustainable impact on the environment or society.

“Ultimately, we need the private sector, research, and government working together to increase investment which will underwrite the successful and sustainable future for agriculture and food production. The establishment of industry led agrifood tech bodies such as AgritechNZ and Ausagritech will also help to drive investment towards the rapidly growing agrifood tech sector. We are extremely optimistic about the direction we’re heading and in particular how the ideas unlocked from the Bridge Hub 2020 Water Challenge can play a role in that sustainable future.”

Winners of the Bridge Hub 2020 Water Challenge were announced today during a virtual event.

BRIDGE HUB 2020 WATER CHALLENGE WINNERS

Australian Research Stream – sponsored by CSIRO
Advanced Capture of Water from the Atmosphere (ACWA)
Prof Chiara Neto, The University of Sydney
Ground breaking research that is working on a new water solution that aims to capture water from the air.

New Zealand Research Stream – sponsored by Zespri
Real-time control of irrigation through acoustic sensing to prevent runoff and pollution. (Acoustic sensing for Irrigation)
Dr Chandra Ghimire, AgResearch Ltd. Lincoln New Zealand
Research that is using acoustic technology to help irrigators to be smarter with their water efficiency.

Australian Startup Stream – sponsored by Commonwealth Bank
Streamwise DI
Paul Hatten, Clayton VIC
Waste Water solution that improves environmental outcomes and operating efficiencies of food manufacturers through the use of Artificial Intelligence.

New Zealand Startup Stream – Sponsored by Wharf42
RiverWatch
James Muir, Matarangi
A water quality solution that provides real time monitoring and decision making for our rivers and waterways. 

Israel Startup Stream
LagunaTech
Clive Lipchin, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, Kibbutz Ktura
Decentralised wastewater treatment solution that assists remote and off grid communities to create new water sources.

For more about the Challenge, visit waterchallenge.co

Posted in General

Advancing agritech for New Zealand

Tuesday, October 13th, 2020

In New Zealand, when we think of countries known for their agritech prowess, we frequently refer to Singapore, Israel, The Netherlands, Ireland and the United States of America (USA).

Already under way, but accelerated by the global pandemic, more countries with strong agricultural contributions to their gross domestic product (GDP) are investing significantly in advancing their agtech sectors.  For example, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.

This further highlights the importance of New Zealand’s Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) developed in partnership with the All of Government taskforce and supported with a significant 2020 Budget allocation. Brendan O’Connell, our interim CEO, tells me he recently attended one of the early industry reference groups (the Horticulture Automation Activator) advising and creating ITP project activity. He was impressed by the genuine collaboration that is directing further investment and creating industry capabilities to address systemic issues.

I recently had the opportunity to meet virtually with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s (NZTE) global team, so they could be updated on our deep and broad ITP engagement, and its focus to enable New Zealand’s agritech sector to punch above its weight domestically, across Australasia and globally. But there was a salient message from the NZTE team, and one we do well to heed. Currently, New Zealand does not have global brand recognition as a leader in agtech – agriculture, for sure – but not agtech. At least not as much as we think, if we fall victim to believing what we hear in our own echo chamber.

We have a solid foundation with the ITP, and we have some great companies doing remarkable work. There is still much to do before New Zealand is recognised as the agritech country we aspire to be. There are three practical steps we can undertake to help achieve this aspiration.

Firstly, members get members – if you know of colleagues in the agritech sector who are not members of AgritechNZ, please invite them to join. Having a strong industry voice will direct efforts in areas that most benefit New Zealand agritech businesses.

Second, collaborate domestically – support the data standards and interoperability work that is being ably undertaken by our Practitioner Working Group. It is unglamorous back-room work, about as fascinating as underground power cables or cell phone towers, but essential to enable the free flow of permissioned data, on which farmers and growers, global suppliers and buyers can make better decisions.

Third, partner with Australia – adding our two sectors together still leaves us as a drop in the ocean in terms of global spend. We are stronger together, and can’t afford to duplicate resources to produce identical outcomes on both sides of the pond.  AgritechNZ and AusAgritech are forging deeper and better relations at both association and individual member level.

Ngā mihi

Kenneth Irons
Chair
Agritech New Zealand

PS: Please let us know of your industry event if you would like it mentioned in future newsletters.


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Posted in AgriTechNZ News

AgriTechNZ Developments And Progress

Tuesday, September 8th, 2020

Since its inception in 2018, AgriTechNZ has grown significantly and now combines the resources of members, supporters, funders and researchers. We are a 160+ member-strong organisation with the people, passion, resources and direction to deliver value to producers, growers, researchers, Government and our agritech businesses large and small.

We’re now able to progress and participate in work that will benefit global agriculture, New Zealand, our sector and our businesses. The New Zealand Government’s Agritech Industry Transformation Plan enables us as businesses and government organisations to collaborate in new ways. AgriTechNZ is now the only group that represents a collective and independent view of the agritech sector in New Zealand. We have a lot to be proud of: our work empowers primary production, and together we can take this even further. Let’s make the most of the many opportunities ahead of us. 

Welcome to our experienced new Executive Council

AgriTechNZ’s Executive Council (EC) has now replaced the formative Establishment Council. The new EC includes Andrew Hoggard, National President of Federated Farmers, Dan Bloomer of LandWISE, Daniel O’Brien of AWS, Simon Yarrow of Callaghan Innovation, Sophie Rebbeck of Lincoln Agritech, Peter Nation, CEO of New Zealand National Fieldays, Brendan O’Connell (independent), and deputy chair Dion Cawood of Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC).

Introducing our new Interim CEO

Brendan O’Connell has been appointed as the interim CEO while the Executive Council formally recruits a permanent CEO. He will build on the successes achieved during Peter Wren-Hilton’s tenure as Executive Director and will continue working with Peter in the further delivery of member benefits. In this role Brendan will work with members and government representatives to further develop the ITP opportunities and progress existing projects.

Brendan has a technology leadership background and has developed a strong affinity with the agritech sector, its people and its purpose. 

On behalf of the EC and all members, I extend our thanks and appreciation to Peter and Jacqui Wren-Hilton for their significant contribution to the establishment of AgriTechNZ. We are delighted that they can continue to add their experience and insight in an advisory role with a particular focus on key global alliances. 

Your opportunity to be involved 

Over the past 12 months, AgriTechNZ has been working with the ‘all of New Zealand Government’ taskforce to assist with the delivery of the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP). The published Agritech ITP document proposes two initial High Impact projects and six workstreams, designed to support the development of New Zealand’s agritech sector’s ecosystem. (The document is available here). 

To provide ongoing industry leadership and support to the government’s ITP taskforce, AgriTechNZ is establishing Industry Reference Groups to consider the proposed High Impact Projects and workstreams, to recommend actions and, in selected cases, be the vehicle for implementation of initiatives.

Some of these groups are already partly or fully formed, based on existing work and engagement. AgriTechNZ is now helping to further develop the scope, purpose and structures for these groups to enable even greater industry engagement.

The domains for these Industry Reference Groups include:

  • Robotics, Automation & Sensing Academy 
  • Farm2050 Nutrients Initiative 
  • Global Alliances & Positioning
  • IP Commercialisation 
  • Capital & Investment 
  • Data Interoperability & Regulation 
  • Skills & Workforce 

We will be seeking expressions of interest from members to contribute to these projects and workstreams as the terms of reference are completed for each, individually. We expect the first of these to be completed in the next few weeks.

These opportunities will be highlighted in further communications, webinars and meetings. In the meantime, we welcome your comments and input, and look forward to the shared beneficial outcomes of these collaborations.

Ngā mihi

Kenneth Irons
Chair
Agritech New Zealand

PS: MBIE is currently consulting on a Consumer Data Right for greater choice and control over data. Join AgriTechNZ and Digital Identity NZ for a member discussion later this month. More information coming soon, but please contact us to express your interest.


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Posted in AgriTechNZ News

Closed Borders And New Pastures

Tuesday, August 18th, 2020

First, I hope wherever you are, you and your family are safe and well. These are indeed strange times. Closed borders have new meaning, because today, I can travel to Hamilton, but not to Auckland. However, in the world of Agritech New Zealand, things are not slowing down!

Earlier this month, we elected our new Executive Council. Kenneth Irons is the new Chair and Dion Cawood, the Deputy Chair. I would like to congratulate all the new members on their successful election. Meet the new team here.

As promised in our last newsletter, July was an epic month! I joined Ministers Twyford and O’Connor in Tauranga as we launched the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP). Almost 100 Agritech New Zealand members attended the launch at Zespri. Looking ahead, we will be establishing Industry Reference Groups to support the Key Impact Projects and work streams contained within the Plan. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – ongoing industry engagement is critical to ensure the successful delivery and implementation of the Plan.

Minister O’Connor also used the occasion to release Aotearoa Agritech Unleashed, a major research report prepared by Agritech New Zealand on the economic impact of the sector on New Zealand’s broader economy. The significant impact of the sector on New Zealand’s economic performance was further enhanced by the release of the inaugural TIN Agritech Insights Report. 

July also saw two major digital events; Fieldays Online and Techweek2020. Agritech New Zealand hosted eight sessions across the two events. Again, I would like to congratulate the teams behind both events. In the past, I would have expected to be wearing my red band gumboots at Mystery Creek and criss-crossing the country during Techweek to support regional agritech events. However, this year, I was in a studio on Auckland’s North Shore and live at Techweek TV at AUT. Both teams did an amazing job, especially as they pivoted from hosting significant physical events to creating very successful digital ones.

And now for some personal news, this will be my last Agritech New Zealand newsletter as Executive Director. Over the past few months, Jacqui and I have become very aware of the impact of closed international borders on many of our members. We have decided to focus exclusively on leveraging our global networks to support keeping lines open between New Zealand’s agritech sector and offshore markets. 

The good news is that when our current term finishes on Friday 4 September, Jacqui and I will sign a new contract with NZTech to help grow Agritech New Zealand’s offshore footprint. In the meantime, the Executive Council is actively recruiting my successor.

In closing, I would like to thank our members for their ongoing support over the past 2+ years. I would like to pay special tribute to the members of the former Establishment Council for their significant contribution and service to the sector both before and since the organisation was established. You were awesome! 

It was your support that helped get the Agritech ITP across the line and it is the ongoing support that will take this organisation to new heights.

Ngā mihi


Peter Wren-Hilton
Executive Director
AgriTech New Zealand


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Posted in AgriTechNZ News

Join Agritech New Zealand at Techweek2020.

Tuesday, July 21st, 2020

Next week, Techweek2020 kicks off and Agritech New Zealand has three great events lined up for the country’s agritech community.

Tuesday 28 July – Techweek TV 2.00pm – 2.30pm

Join David Downs, the Agritech Transformation Plan Taskforce lead and myself as we discuss the next steps in the delivery and implementation of the Plan. If you missed the official launch of the Plan in Tauranga earlier this week, you can read about it here.

To view this ½ hour special, set your clocks for 2.00pm on the 28th and go to https://techweek.co.nz/techweek-tv/ We hope you can join us then.

Wednesday 29 July – Elizabeth Fastiggi, global agritech lead at AWS 11.00am – 12.00pm

At 11.00am, I am hosting an exclusive one hour webinar with Elizabeth Fastiggi, global agritech lead at AWS. Dialling in the US, Elizabeth will talk about her perspective of the global agritech landscape and illustrate this though some customer journeys. Viewers of the webinar will be able to ask Elizabeth direct questions during the webinar. It will be the first time that Elizabeth has spoken to a New Zealand audience.

This is a free event, but registration is essential. To register, please visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8FoSHv_DQvukjhfG3NN3eA

Thursday 30 July – Re-Imagine the Digital Economy: The Role of Technology in Food Assurance 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Online events don’t come much bigger than this. A live two hour webinar linking major thought leaders in New Zealand and Singapore.

Join this session as we hear from industry experts, technology providers and food producers on the role of technology for improving yields, optimising production methods and reducing waste, predicting demand, and safeguarding supply chains.

Speakers Include:

  • Peter Wren-Hilton, Executive Director, Agritech New Zealand
  • Bradley Busetto, Director, UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development
  • Paul Ryan, Director, Trust Codes
  • Claudia Roessler, Director Agriculture, Microsoft Azure Global Engineering
  • Amit Gupta, CEO, Ecosystm (Singapore)
  • Jannat Maqbool, Principal Advisor, Ecosystm  (New Zealand)

Starting at 2.00pm (NZT), registration is once again free, but essential. To register, please visit https://info.ecosystm360.com/re-imagine-the-digital-economy-the-role-of-technology-in-food-assurance

Techweek2020 promises once again to be a festival of innovation. If you want to share in it, and have an interest in the progress of New Zealand’s agritech sector, we very much hope that you can join us for one of these free events.

Posted in AgriTechNZ News

The Agritech Industry Transformation Plan has finally launched!

Monday, July 20th, 2020

The Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) was finally launched by Hon Phil Twyford at Zespri’s HQ in Tauranga yesterday.

Phil was joined by Hon Damien O’Connor who took the opportunity to release Agritech New Zealand’s research report, Aotearoa Agritech Unleashed. The research provides a detailed analysis of the impact of agritech on New Zealand’s economy and the opportunity for productivity and export growth.

The launch of the Agritech ITP follows 15 months of engagement between industry and government. I have been fortunate to spend a large amount of my time working with ITP taskforce members, across a number of different government agencies; MBIE, NZTE, Callaghan Innovation, MPI and MFAT. It has been a really positive experience to see cross-agency collaboration at close quarters. Knocking down silos has never been so much fun!

At yesterday’s launch, I spoke about the role of industry in the delivery and implementation of the Plan. A number of Industry Reference Groups are being established to map the different high impact projects and workstreams contained within the Plan. Amongst other things, these will look at;

  • Global Opportunities
  • Investment
  • Commercialisation
  • Skills & Talent
  • Data Standards & Regulation
  • Government Process

The Industry Reference Groups will give industry, (including the research sector), the opportunity to work closely with the different agencies as they lead the workstreams. This input is critical to ensure the successful delivery and implementation of the Plan.

Whilst in Tauranga, Jacqui and I organised separate meetings for the Ministers with both PlantTech & Ballance. It was an opportunity to showcase some of the great innovation currently being undertaken in the Bay of Plenty.

At PlantTech, a number of their partners, including Robotics Plus, BlueLab, Eurofins, Trimax, Cucumber, Zespri & the University of Waikato talked about their work. It’s safe to say that both Ministers were impressed. Collaboration and transformation became the main themes of the day.

At Ballance, CEO Mark Wynne spoke about the positive strides being undertaken by the cooperative, particularly in the area of sustainability. The move away from being seen as a fertiliser company to a nutrient management one is playing a major role in the organisation’s transformation.

Back at the launch, I had referenced the day as being the end of the first chapter. The next chapter, the delivery and implementation part, starts today.

Posted in AgriTechNZ News

July Newletter – Unleashing New Zealands Agritech Innovation

Monday, July 6th, 2020

Welcome to perhaps the busiest month for New Zealand’s agritech sector this year! Get your diary ready to lock in July’s significant dates.

The New Zealand Agritech Story Workshops

If you haven’t registered to attend yet, free seats are still available on 15 July in Auckland16 July in Hamilton and 21 July in Lincoln. One of the key priorities of the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) is to ensure New Zealand’s Agritech Story reflects the global agritech landscape post COVID-19. We are hosting three workshops over the next two weeks to provide industry with the opportunity to input directly into that Story.

Fieldays TV

While the traditional National Fieldays was cancelled, the team at Mystery Creek are hosting a free event, Fieldays Online, 13-26 July. We have partnered once again, hosting four Fieldays TV programmes on 13, 15, 20 and 22 July. Each session is broadcast live from 2.00pm – 2.30pm. Once registered to attend Fieldays Online, you can access these sessions from any digital device.

Monday 13 July – The launch of the Trans-Tasman Water Challenge

Learn more about this initiative which is bringing together key researchers and startups from both sides of the Tasman, to address the critical issue of water and its impact on agriculture.

Wednesday 15 July – The launch of the TIN Agritech Report

The Technology Investment Network (TIN) are releasing their first ever analysis of the size and scope of New Zealand’s agritech sector. Who are the major players, their revenues and areas of expertise?

Monday 20 July – The Agritech New Zealand Practitioner Working Group

Learn more about the significant work being undertaken by the Practitioner Working Group, including its focus on developing agriculture data standards and regulation fit for purpose.

Wednesday 22 July – The future of on-farm Robotics and Automation

Tune in for a fascinating panel discussion on how robotics and automation are set to transform many on-farm and on-orchard agricultural and horticultural processes.

The Formal Launch of the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP)

We are delighted to host the formal launch of the Agritech ITP in Tauranga on Tuesday 21 July. We will be joined by Ministers Phil Twyford and Damien O’Connor as industry celebrates this major milestone.

This occasion will also see the launch of our major research report, Aotearoa Agritech Unleashed. The report analyses the impact of the agritech sector on the country’s economy. It contains a number of recommendations to significantly lift the productivity, size and profitability of the sector.

Techweek 2020

Agritech New Zealand joins Techweek2020, 27 July-2 August. 

Tuesday 28 July 2.00pm – 2.30pm
Following its launch, what does the Agritech ITP mean for the sector going forward? Featuring David Downs, Agritech ITP lead and myself. This session will be broadcast live on Techweek TV.

Wednesday 29 July 11.00am – 12.00pm
Global head of Agritech at AWS, Elizabeth Fastiggi, will discuss Digital Innovation in Agriculture: AWS Customers Leading the Way to a Sustainable Future. Please register to attend.

Thursday 30 July 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Join this exclusive New Zealand and Singapore sponsored session as we hear from industry experts, technology providers and food producers on the role of technology for improving yields, optimising production methods and reducing waste, predicting demand, and safeguarding supply chains.
Please register to attend

It’s quite a list! I hope you can join us as we navigate the next three weeks. There are numerous opportunities to engage with, or simply listen to, global thought leaders in our space. Our time has come.

Ngā mihi


Peter Wren-Hilton
Executive Director
AgriTech New Zealand


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Posted in Archive

Introducing the Trans-Tasman Water Challenge

Sunday, June 28th, 2020

Building stronger trans-Tasman ties in the area of innovation and agri-technology provide a unique opportunity for some really big thinking. Connecting our respective research and entrepreneurial communities has the potential to address key major global issues. Few are bigger than the scarcity and management of water.

Australia is currently grappling with one of its worst droughts on record. Water is its most precious natural resource. The agrisystem, which includes the entire agri food supply chain, needs to become more efficient with its use of water and build its long term resilience and preparedness for drought.

Australia is not alone in facing water issues. New Zealand understands this. Water scarcity is a universal problem being exacerbated by changes in our climate. Together, we need to urgently find solutions to address the immediate and longer term challenges posed to our region’s entire agricultural ecosystem.

Introducing the Bridge Hub 2020 Water Challenge. Bridge Hub, based in New South Wales, launched its 2020 Water Challenge at the evokeAG conference, in Melbourne, in February. The Challenge’s current supporters in Australia include CSIRO, Commonwealth Bank, AgriFutures Australia, the University of Canberra, the Government of South Australia and a number of regional development agencies across multiple Australian States.

Following discussions at the most recent Australia New Zealand Agritech Council, it was agreed that New Zealand’s Council members would invite New Zealand’s research and entrepreneurial community to join the Challenge. It was also agreed that in order to identify significant solutions to the Water Challenge, we would pose 4 questions to our research and entrepreneur community;

1. How can the agrisystem use less water and increase productivity and profitability?

2. How can we turn arid agricultural areas into vibrant, sustainable and productive regions?

3. How can we ensure the quality of water optimises the outcomes for farmers, growers and the environment?

4. How can different sectors outside the agrisystem align to optimise water usage?

Four major questions that are looking for innovative answers.

The New Zealand input is being supported by the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum, New Zealand’s Agritech ITP, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise & Callaghan Innovation. A number of additional New Zealand research and commercial organisations are signing up in support.

So what are we looking for?

Under research, we want to identify cutting edge New Zealand research that can help solve the water related problems we have identified in the agrisystem. The research solutions must have high commercialisation potential that can scale globally to have maximum impact.

Under entrepreneurship, we want to unlock and demonstrate the next generation of leading New Zealand water technology solutions for the agrisystem. The Challenge is looking to provide a testbed for the research and business entrants, in both New Zealand and Australia.

Finally, to encourage trans-Tasman research collaboration on the Water Challenge, we are looking to welcome submissions with at least one Australian and one New Zealand researcher on the team. Expect further announcements on what this might look like as the Council engages with different agencies on both sides of the Tasman.

To register your interest in the Trans-Tasman Water Challenge, please visit https://www.waterchallenge.co/ 

Posted in General

June Newsletter – a collaborative strategy for our future

Monday, June 22nd, 2020

I hope this newsletter finds you safe and well. Last month, we held our annual meeting and I would like to congratulate the newly elected members of our Executive Council. The platform that has been developed over the past two years provides a very significant opportunity for our members going forward.

In particular, I would like to thank the departing members of our Establishment Council for their immense contribution. They have provided me with invaluable support and advice during the past two years as we have grown into a significant industry sector organisation. Their contribution has been immense and the platform that has been established provides a very significant opportunity going forward.

My immediate focus is on the plans for the delivery and implementation of the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP). To further emphasise the Agritech ITP’s importance, Agritech New Zealand is publishing Aotearoa Agritech Unleashed. This research report provides a detailed analysis of agritech on New Zealand’s economy and the opportunity for increased productivity and export growth.

One key element of the Agritech ITP is the ongoing development of the New Zealand Agritech Story. Closed borders now present a particular challenge when addressing offshore opportunities.

To help gain a better understanding of how the sector will manage in the current environment, we are hosting New Zealand Agritech Story workshops next month. The workshops will be held on 15 July in Auckland16 July in Hamilton and 21 July in Lincoln. It’s critical that the sector is provided with the collateral and assets it needs to be able to navigate the emerging ‘new normal’. Please reserve your free seat at these workshops because your input is highly valued. 

In 2019, Agritech New Zealand hosted a major one day conference at National Fieldays called Agritech Unleashed. I’m delighted to announce that Agritech New Zealand and National Fieldays are once again partnering to provide exciting online content for Fieldays Online between 13-26 July. Agritech Unleashed 2020 will include five daily sessions on Fieldays TV, focusing on key themes including; building New Zealand agritech sector’s global footprint, attracting skills and talent, the rise of robotics and automation, creating new ag data standards and regulation, and how New Zealand researchers and startups can engage with the trans-Tasman Water Challenge.

Later next month, during Techweek 2020, we are hosting Elizabeth Fastiggi, global head of agritech at Amazon Web Services. We are also hosting a major New Zealand – Singapore online food safety workshop; a key element of the Enhanced Partnership agreement signed by both Governments in 2019. If you are involved in any aspect of food safety, research or commercialisation, this is one event you will not want to miss. More details coming soon.

Whilst some sectors of our economy face significant pressures, I believe that the future of agritech in New Zealand is bright. We have developed a focused strategy to improve productivity and grow long term exports by bringing together our major stakeholder groups; industry, research and Government. 

Last month’s Budget announcement of $11.4m funding to support the delivery of the Agritech ITP was a massive vote of confidence in the sector. Next month’s New Zealand Agritech Story workshops are the key first milestone in its implementation.

I hope to see as many of you as possible in Auckland, Hamilton & Lincoln.

Until then.

Ngā mihi

Peter Wren-Hilton
Executive Director
AgriTech New Zealand

PS: Have your say on drone adoption within New Zealand agriculture. Please complete our member Aeronavics’ quick survey to help formulate the best strategy for drone use on farms. There is also an opportunity to be considered for a trial site installation.


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Agritech New Zealand AGM 2020. The election results.

Sunday, May 31st, 2020

On Thursday, Agritech New Zealand hosted its 2020 Annual General Meeting.

In keeping with Level 2 restrictions, the AGM was hosted over ZOOM. Because of that and because the organisation’s membership is so widely dispersed across New Zealand, it guaranteed a large turnout.

I was able to talk about the achievements of the past 12 months and some of the opportunities and challenges for the next 12. Given the effect of COVID-19, it will inevitably impact on some of our operational planning. Proposed NZ agritech delegation visits to the US and Ireland / UK later in the year have already been cancelled. Other in person events will almost certainly replaced by ZOOM.

The 2020 AGM marked in some ways the end of an era. As we moved from an Establishment Council to an elected Executive Council, it was time to say au revoir to a number of Council members who had been part of Agritech New Zealand’s organisational structure since Day 1.

I would like to pay a personal tribute to the support and energy they provided Jacqui, myself and the wider management team since our formation in May 2018. Without it, Agritech New Zealand would not be where it is today. They include;

  • Brendan Mahar – NZTE
  • Brendan O’Connell – PAANZ
  • Dean Tilyard – Sprout Accelerator
  • Mark Ennis – Fonterra
  • Rob Heebink – Gallagher
  • Sarah Hindle – Tech Futures Lab (Interim Agritech New Zealand Chair)
  • Simon Yarrow – Callaghan Innovation
  • Simon Neale – Spark

At Thursday’s AGM, we welcomed the newly elected and appointed members of the Executive Council. They include;

  • Dion Cawood – LIC
  • Daniel O’Brien – AWS
  • Peter Nation – National Fieldays
  • Sophie Rebbeck – Lincoln Agritech
  • Dan Bloomer – Landwise
  • Kenneth Irons – Precision Farming

There remain four additional positions to be appointed

  • Government
  • Practitioner
  • Iwi Rep
  • Independent

There was considerable interest in the Executive Council elections and I would like to thank the 19 different individuals and organisations nominated for the 1 available Major Corporate and 1 available SME position. It spoke volumes for just where the organisation is today.

Looking ahead, the recent Budget announcement of $11.4M funding to support the delivery and execution of the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) remains a core focus for the organisation. We are currently looking at establishing working groups to support the 3 High Impact Projects and 6 workstreams contained within the ITP recommendations.

I’ll be publishing updates on the progress as soon as I can.

Posted in AgriTechNZ News

May Newsletter – accelerating our purpose, funding support and offshore collaboration

Monday, May 18th, 2020

Kia ora,

As New Zealand’s agritech sector settles into life in Alert Level 2, I wanted to share news of our substantial progress. The contribution so many of you made during the Government’s Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) consultancy process was rewarded last week. The 2020 Budget announced $11.4M funding support for the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan. This is a fantastic achievement and will cover implementing large parts of the Plan over the next two years.

Looking ahead, the delivery of the Agritech ITP is even more strategically important than ever before. Some of its mission may have to be re-prioritised as we accelerate its purpose, but the collaborative framework it created between industry and Government is enduring. In my view, the Agritech ITP offers the best hope we have for a reinvigorated and stronger New Zealand agritech sector.

What are the next steps? The Agritech ITP taskforce is developing a robust project management process for the Plan’s delivery. Industry will play a central role and its input is critical for the Plan’s long term success. Agritech New Zealand is establishing working groups to map the Plan’s work streams and I am currently drafting Terms of Reference for these groups to ensure maximum industry input.

However, for many of our agritech businesses, I am very aware of just how challenging the current COVID-19 climate is. From the outset of Alert Level 4, we knew it was important to gain a better understanding of our sector’s business continuity planning. We conducted a major survey and three immediate challenges were identified: access to funding, markets and customers. While New Zealand’s borders remain closed, the opportunity for new early stage company funding is grim. I’m not sugar coating this. Anecdotal feedback supports early assessment by Callaghan Innovation that up to 50 percent of pre-revenue agritech companies are likely to fail. It is imperative that every opportunity is taken to increase your visibility. For example, if you haven’t already, please create a free profile on Scale-Up New Zealand.

As we progress through COVID-19 alert levels, our agritech sector needs to embrace a new way of thinking and test new opportunities. For example, increased collaboration with Australia’s agritech ecosystem. Given the impact on global supply chains, the importance of developing regional supply chain platforms is likely to increase. For Agritech New Zealand, it also means changing the way we work. Traditional events have been replaced by digital events. During Alert Level 4, we established a webinar series that hosted over 2000 attendees plus local and international thought leaders. In case you missed it, the AgriTechNZ Insights webinar series is now available on demand.

During the past seven weeks, I have also been speaking to our global network to help ensure the world knows that New Zealand agritech is still open for business. Even though individual travel is not possible, it further underscores one of the immediate priorities of the Agritech ITP schedule; to further promote New Zealand’s Agritech Story offshore.

There is one specific offshore opportunity that is occupying my focus; the potential creation of a Trans-Tasman agritech bubble. As co-founder of the Australia New Zealand Agritech Council we work with the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF) who are currently advising on the practicalities of opening our mutual borders without the need to quarantine. We have identified a major opportunity for both country’s ecosystems to collaborate at an entrepreneurial and research level. Our hope is this may form the basis of a longer term collaboration model across our region as we navigate our new normal.

Introducing the 2020 Bridge Hub Water Challenge

Water is our most precious natural resource and the entire agri food supply chain needs to increase its efficiency and resilience. Bridge Hub, an Australian partner of the ANZ Agritech Council, launched its 2020 Water Challenge to address the issue. Now, New Zealand experts, innovators and researchers have been invited to participate. Please email me to learn more.

Finally, our Annual Meeting is next week. Special thanks to the Establishment Council for their on-going support, input and energy since the organisation was formed two years ago. I look forward to working with the newly elected Executive Council who will be announced at our Annual Meeting.

Ngā mihi,

Peter Wren-Hilton
Executive Director
AgriTech New Zealand

PS: Fieldays Online Innovation Awards applications close on 15 June.


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Agritech New Zealand is delighted by the NZ Government’s Budget commitment of $11.4M to support the Agritech ITP

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

Today is a major milestone in Agritech New Zealand’s intense 12 month engagement with the NZ Government’s Agritech ITP taskforce. This afternoon’s announcement by Minister Twyford that $11.4M had been committed in Budget 2020 to support the Agritech ITP is massive.

You can review the final draft Agritech ITP documentation here: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/dmsdocument/10750-growing-innovative-industries-in-new-zealand-agritech-in-new-zealand-industry-transformation-plan-

You can view yesterday’s Budget statement here (It appears on page 4). https://budget.govt.nz/budget/pdfs/releases/r1-focus-jobs-kiwi-businesses-supported-respond-recover-rebuild.pdf

Whilst this post is an immediate reaction (literally) to the Budget announcement, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have made this possible.

  • To the Agritech New Zealand Executive Council who have supported the Agritech ITP initiative from Day 1
  • To Agritech New Zealand members who have not only contributed to the consultation process, but who have gone the extra mile
  • To the 500+ industry representatives who attended the regional ITP workshops across the country that we organised through 2019 and early 2020. Your contribution was awesome. Without significant industry input, we frankly would not have got to where we are today.

I would like to finally thank my colleagues and friends on the government’s Agritech ITP taskforce.

  • In particular, David Downs, the government’s Agritech ITP taskforce lead and Arek Wojasz, our MBIE policy team go-to.

    It’s impossible to underestimate the impact that both David & Arek have had on the success on the Agritech ITP submission. Jacqui and I have had weekly calls with David & Arek for months and many discussions in between. Not only did we organise the regional consultative workshops together, we have discussed all the opportunities that an effective Agritech ITP can offer New Zealand’s agritech sector. David & Arek totally got it. Thanks guys!

  • Finally, the rest of the government’s Agritech ITP taskforce. For the record that’s MBIE, MFAT, MPI, NZTE, Callaghan Innovation & NZVIF. On a more personal note, that’s Arek, Gavin, Lucie, Brendan, Simon & Richard. Behind every government agency name, there is an amazing individual making this happen.

Over the coming days and weeks, I’ll be working with the wider government Agritech ITP taskforce to ensure that industry’s input into the ITP delivery and execution remains absolute.

That works starts now.

Posted in General