Kia ora,
As I reflect on June, and on more than eight years in this role, I’m reminded what a journey it has been.
New Zealand has only once had a booth at the USA BIO Pavillion, in 2019, supported by Professor Kjesten Wiig and Kimberlee Jordan during their time at the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE). Since then, New Zealand’s presence on the global stage has been quieter. Each year, Brandon Capital’s well-known Touchdown Event has helped keep that presence alive, with BioTech New Zealand standing alongside in support. Thank you to Duncan Mackintosh and Chris Nave for your ongoing support of the New Zealand biotech sector.
And this year, I couldn’t be prouder.
Led by Niall Gordon and the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) team, New Zealand had a booth that looked fantastic in the pavilion. NZTE picked up the baton and ran with it – and the result was a real step forward for our sector. Check out the LinkedIn posts from our New Zealand attendees.
Thank you also to Dr John Roche for attending and recognising how vital this sector is, not only for New Zealand’s economic prosperity, but for the health of our people through clinical trials, CAR-T cell therapy and the next wave of innovation.
Back in New Zealand I spoke at the Primary Industries New Zealand Summit last week.
As reported by BusinessDesk, I referenced The Six Million Dollar Man, Knight Rider and Star Trek to make the case that innovation often arrives first as imagination and then becomes reality. Prompting Claude, I noted, can feel a little like steering the Enterprise, except now it is real and available to all of us. Yet gene editing remains constrained in New Zealand.
So, keep going. Even on the days when progress feels invisible, it is adding up. Every day, we are making a difference.
BioTechNZ Ambassador Programme
We’ve been overwhelmed by the number and calibre of applications for the BioTechNZ Ambassador Programme. Working through them has been no small task.
If you haven’t heard back yet, thank you for your patience. We are developing a tiered structure that reflects an incredible range of applicants, from very experienced senior professionals through to emerging talent. You’ll hear from our team this week, and we’ll share more soon about what the programme will look like and who our BioTechNZ Ambassadors will be.
Submissions/Regulation Update
BioTechNZ has made a submission on the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill. You can read it here. This week, we are presenting to the Select Committee. I’ll be joined by two senior members of the CropLife Australia team. We have a fantastic relationship with them, and they are fully supportive of BioTechNZ and New Zealand’s work to move the dial on gene technologies.
Life Sciences Summit 2027
We’re starting work on the programme for the Life Sciences Summit in March next year. If you’re interested in being a sponsor or exhibitor, or you have a great content idea, we’d love to hear from you: lifesciencessummit@technewzealand.org.nz.
Upcoming Events
2026 AmCham-DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards
The 2026 AmCham-DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards (for companies doing business with the USA) have just launched. This year includes exciting new categories including space, defence, security, frontier technologies, health & life sciences, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), sustainability and cultural connections. Learn more
Several BioTechNZ members have been finalists over the last few years, including AdInstruments, Bridgewest Group, AgriZeroNZ, Aroa Biosurgery, Pharmaceutical Solutions (now HiRO), to name a few.
AusBiotech
20-23 October 2026 | Queensland
If your organisation is interested in being part of our New Zealand biotechnology stand for 2026, we’d love to hear from you. We’re also keen to hear your thoughts on what worked well last year or what we could improve. Please email info@biotechnz.org.nz
Learn more about AusBiotech 2026
Member News
BioOra continues to build momentum, with BusinessDesk reporting the New Zealand cancer therapy company is raising $45 million, with a company valuation up 150% in less than a year. Read more. BioOra has also secured A$7.7m backing from Queensland state government, supporting its continued growth across Australia. Read more.
Four Leaves Co. is developing innovation at the intersection of functional food, dairy technology and biotechnology. Its product LULLAA®, powered by NZ SmartMilk®, has been named Best Dairy Drink at the World Dairy Innovation Awards during the Global Dairy Congress in Barcelona. It was also recognised as a finalist in the Functional Dairy Product and Manufacturing Innovation categories. After the Congress, Richard Hall, Chair of the Global Dairy Congress, wrote: “You took everyone by storm at our Congress last week.”
Remember to send us your good news so we can share with fellow members.
Ngā mihi,
Zahra Champion
Executive Director, BioTech New Zealand