The Star: June 15, 2023

The Star Thursday June 15 2023
18
GARDENING
Of the $240 million worth of seed and grain exported by New Zealand growers
annually, almost 90 per cent is Mid Canterbury bred. The seed and grain industry is
nothing short of big business.
Why a city focus on food, fibre
and agritech?
Feeding
the world
and fueling
innovation
Carrfields is a pioneering Canterbury-based
agribusiness that is part of this. Their forty plusyear
history includes five traditional divisions such
as livestock, machinery, agricultural contracting
and seeds.
Their reach extended further with their investment
in NZ Natural Fibres, a company that supplies
premium wool yarn systems for high-end
residential, retail carpets and private jets. Over the
last few years, NZ Natural Fibres partnered with
Hemp NZ to produce sustainable products from
natural hemp fibres. They are now on a mission
to be leaders in this growth industry by providing
premium products with a reduced carbon
footprint. With a growing global population and
the ongoing impacts of climate change, the call
for smart agritech solutions is more important than
ever before. And it’s not all meat, dairy and wool.
Carrfields is an example of a business in the Food,
Fibre and Agritech Cluster, one of four sectors
identified by ChristchurchNZ as driving growth and
future innovation.
Innovative Ōtautahi-based companies that are transforming the food, fibre and agritech sector
Leaft Foods exists to reduce the environmental
impact of food production. They are separating
a protein called Rubisco which is the most
abundant protein on the planet and responsible for
photosynthesis, and using it to develop a range of
foods that people love.
This is a strategic intervention to fuel
innovations in big data, artificial intelligence,
robotics, automation, the Internet of Things,
plant-based proteins, nutraceuticals, high
value ingredients and materials. Investment
to grow the sector includes startup business
development programmes such as the current
Food, Fibre and Agritech Challenge where
finalists go through an eight-week validator
to develop their idea into a viable business.
Delivered by the University of Canterbury’s
Centre for Entrepreneurship, the 10 finalists will
pitch their ideas to a live audience at Aotearoa’s
biggest primary sector conference, E Tipu
IFAMA 2023 being held at the Christchurch
Town Hall from 17-20 June.
From sustainable farming solutions to cuttingedge
drone technology, these ideas will have
a positive impact on the future of Aotearoa
and the world. And just like Carrfields, it is
innovations like these that are set to transform
the industry.
A world-leading biotechnology company,
Keraplast recover bioactive keratin proteins from
regeneratively farmed New Zealand wool and
blend these together to create unique, branded
ingredients that are used in the world’s leading
beauty and personal care products.
Canterbury is New Zealand’s
largest and consistently highperforming
agricultural region
producing one-fifth of the nation’s
agricultural GDP and employing
nearly 20,000 people.
The region’s competitive
advantages include: our
temperate climate, fertile soils and
water access and are leveraged
by a logistical hub of world-class
manufacturers, technology and
professional services. Education
pathways play a part as well with
Lincoln University boasting one
of the largest concentrations of
land-based researchers in the
Southern Hemisphere, while the
University of Canterbury produces
world-class engineering and
software talent.
Founded in 1961, Aroma NZ manufactures
premium New Zealand origin Green-lipped mussel
extracts which are used in leading joint-care
brands world-wide for people and pet. Grown
sustainably, Aroma export in bulk to world-leading
nutraceutical companies all over the world.
PHOTO: Carrfields, NZ Hemp and NZ Yarn are
developing cropping innovations for highly
efficient use of the whole hemp plant. Natural
fibres like hemp and wool could one day
produce materials for products from Formula 1
race cars to America’s Cup boats.
What started as Kōrure mussel oil supplements
for natural health care benefits, the company has
expanded to develop a unique manufacturing
technique with University of Canterbury to
extract more efficiently and sustainably aiming to
lead the charge on extraction technology.
Bambax is a sustainable food packaging technology
company that innovates biotechnology enabling
Woodfibre to enter extended shelf life territory.
This results in fibre packaging with high barrier
properties replacing conventional plastics, reducing
reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing biodiversity.
FoodSouth’s purpose-built product development
facility provides scale-up support for food
and beverage businesses. They offer advice,
expertise, equipment, and connections
needed to grow and succeed domestically and
internationally.