Building strong partnerships in the agritech industry

In partnership with industry, the New Zealand (NZ) government supports the growth of the NZ Agritech Sector. This has evolved into the Agritech Activator, whose purpose is to create more global agritech companies, and increase the uptake of innovation in the NZ agricultural sector.

Why Agritech?

Grows New Zealand exports
Large financial benefit for agriculture
Increases long-term investment
Builds strong global partnerships
Solves crucial agricultural challenges
Activation delivers high impact

Our Aspiration

Our aspiration is for New Zealand (NZ) to be considered the global Agritech leader in terms of industry growth; number of exporting agritech companies; attraction of capital; and the strength of the NZ Agritech ecosystem of growers, investors, corporates and researchers.

Therefore we want to grow the number, size and revenue of globally successful, scaling NZ Agritech companies and the overall sector size.

We also want NZ to continue to be a global agriculture leader with increased productivity, sustainability and quality through the use of world leading Agritech solutions.

Grow sector revenue and exports
A more smarter and connected ecosystem
More high-paying and high value jobs
A deeper investment landscape
Increased Māori participation
A greater international focus

Empowering Customers

Capital and Capability

Access funding and know-how that can power your future success
Explore and Expand

Investigate new local and international opportunities for product-market fit to take your business to the next level
Connect and Collaborate

Surround yourself with the people, organizations and partners that can help your business thrive

The Agritech Activator in 2023

Key partners

Agritech Activator Team

Simon Yarrow

Agritech Activator Group Manager

20+ years private sector experience with an international focus combined with 10 years driving the growth of the agritech sector at Callaghan Innovation.
Connect with Simon on LinkedIn
Sophie Rebbeck

Project Lead - Viticulture, Investment & Science, Commercialisation

Geographical Focus: AUNZ

A product and business development career spanning decades, including technical, marketing and senior leadership roles in the Agritech industry.
Connect with Sophie on LinkedIn
Clara Arribas

Project Lead - Digital Solutions & Analysis

Geographical Focus: LATAM

10 years of engineering experience in the international and local Energy sector combined with extensive consultancy in the CleanTech and Agritech industries
Connect with Clara on LinkedIn
Shane Dooley

Project Lead - Agriculture | Global Signals

Geographical Focus: EU & UK

Over 20 years private sector experience including commercialisation and product development leadership roles along with 7 years at Callaghan Innovation
Connect with Shane on LinkedIn
Andrew Cameron

Project Lead - Horticulture | Trial Networks

Geographical Focus: USA

Extensive international based business experience in the healthcare sector. Now leading agritech and health commercialization projects for multiple organisation in NZ
Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn
Kerrie Mayo

Events Manager

Skilled Events and Marketing Manager with 4+ years of experience in planning and executing successful events in New Zealand and abroad
Connect with Kerrie on LinkedIn