On 12 September 2019, the Australia New Zealand Agritech Council was launched at the 13th Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF) meeting in Auckland.

Mapping the purpose of the ANZLF, the Agritech Council was established to build strategic partnerships with the private and public sector on both sides of the Tasman to promote & help scale the region’s emerging agritech sector. The Agritech Council has representatives from both countries. New Zealand is represented by Peter Wren-Hilton, Simon Yarrow & Emma Parsons.

It’s the view of Wharf42 that as the world begins to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, regional collaboration, typified by organisations such as the ANZLF, will increase in importance. As businesses review their global supply chains, the ability to produce and buy ‘local’ will become ever more important. It’s why the Australia New Zealand Agritech Council and its ongoing development is becoming a much more significant focus for us.

On both sides of the ditch, agritech is now recognised as a key driver for increased agricultural production, improved profitability and more sustainable practice. This is typified by the Bridge Hub Water Challenge, an initiative which has attracted researchers amd startups from both sides of the Tasman to collaborate on an issue of global significance: Water. Wharf42 is delighted to be the official sponsor of the $5,000 prize for the winning New Zealand startup application.

Over the coming months, expect more major initiatives of this kind.

As we adapt to a ‘new normal’, it’s important that we have the ability and the capacity to think differently. When Sarah Nolet of Agthentic and I stood next to Vic Crone, CEO of Callaghan Innovation, at the launch of the Agritech Council back in September last year, we could not have imagined the global landscape in which we now operate. It’s the view of Wharf42 that the Agritech Council provides a unique platform to create global impact for the region’s emerging agritech sector.

The next few months will prove just how far we can collectively progress this opportunity.