Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading
voice for biotechnology
Raising awareness and increasing understanding of biotechnology to enable our nation to embrace the best opportunities biotech offers — helping us live better, healthier, and more productive lives.
Previously known as NZBIO, BioTech joined Tech New Zealand in July 2018 and has since established itself as the leading voice for New Zealand’s biotechnology sector. A purpose-driven, membership-funded organisation governed by an Executive Council, BioTech draws on its Charter — the community’s founding document — to guide its work and operations.
OUR ACTIVITY FRAMEWORK
Connect
We bring together innovators, investors, regulators, researchers, and social entrepreneurs from across New Zealand’s life sciences ecosystem. Through national networking events, the Biotech Leaders Forum, specialist working groups in clinical trials and agri-bio, and international delegations, we create the connections that drive collaboration across industry, research, and government.
Promote
We shine a light on New Zealand’s biotechnology innovators — showcasing 2+ human health and 2+ agri-bio members per quarter through targeted media campaigns, thought leadership, the annual Life Sciences Summit, and our presence at global events including BIO USA and AusBiotech.
Advance
We serve as a neutral centre of gravity for debate, policy development, and action. Through quarterly Minister Biotech Briefings, Clinical Trials and Agri-bio Working Groups, and formal advisory engagement including the Gene Technology Industry Advisory Group, we ensure biotech has a strong, evidence-based voice shaping New Zealand’s innovation economy.
Creating a healthy, clean, and prosperous
New Zealand, boosted by biotech
OUR IMPACT
We work alongside our members to shift the dial on the issues that matter most.
These four focus areas guide how we collaborate, advocate, and create value — connecting New Zealand’s biotechnology sector to the opportunities and policy settings it needs to grow, innovate, and contribute to Aotearoa’s future.
Health
We champion biotechnology’s transformative role in human health — amplifying the economic and health benefits of clinical trials, supporting novel therapeutics research, and advocating for the investment settings that allow New Zealand to be a world-class destination for clinical innovation.
Sustainability
We advocate for fit-for-purpose gene technology regulation to unlock the full potential of agricultural biotechnology in New Zealand — supporting sustainable food and fibre innovation, environmental solutions, and the sector leaders advancing responsible agri-bio science.
Science & Research
We connect world-class New Zealand researchers with industry and investment — through working groups, whitepapers, and partnerships including our developing relationship with NZIAT in synthetic biology — ensuring scientific discovery translates into commercial opportunity.
Global Competitiveness
Through international delegations to BIO USA and AusBiotech, quarterly Minister Biotech Briefings, and a Biotech Leaders Forum for senior sector executives, we position New Zealand as a trusted, responsible leader in biotechnology innovation — building our reputation on the world stage.