More Progress at AgriTechNZ

Since its inception in 2018, AgriTechNZ has grown significantly, now combining the resources of 160+ members, supporters and researchers. We have the people, passion and direction to deliver value to farmers, producers and growers and our agritech businesses large and small, within NZ and internationally.

We’re able to progress and participate in work that will benefit global agriculture, the New Zealand economy, our primary sector and to our own businesses. The New Zealand Government’s Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) provides the sound, well-funded basis on which to collaborate in new ways. AgriTechNZ is now the only group that represents a collective, independent view of the agritech sector in New Zealand. 

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, Brendan O’Connell (independent), Dan Bloomer of LandWISE, Daniel O’Brien of AWS, Peter Nation, CEO of New Zealand National Fieldays, Simon Yarrow of Callaghan Innovation, and Sophie Rebbeck of Lincoln Agritech, and deputy chair Dion Cawood of Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC).

Introducing our new Interim CEO

Brendan O’Connell has been appointed the interim CEO while the Executive Council recruits a permanent CEO, bringing significant industry and corporate experience to the role. 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.

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 ITP. The published ITP document proposes two initial High Impact Projects and six work streams, designed to support the development of New Zealand’s agritech sector’s ecosystem. (The document is available at www.mbie.govt.nz).

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 work streams, to recommend actions and, in selected cases, be the vehicle for implementation of initiatives to deliver valuable outcomes to members and the wider sector.

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 

In the coming weeks, we will be seeking expressions of interest from members to contribute to these projects and work streams as the individual terms of reference are completed.

While all of these offer significant value, we are especially enthusiastic about the Global Alliances and Positioning opportunities, as we recognise the value in ag tech of global collaboration.

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, Chairman, Agritech New Zealand