The Ultimate Guide to Agricultural Technology
A curated Kiwi edition of TechDay news, analysis, interviews, reviews, job moves, and related resources for Agricultural Technology.
What to know about Agricultural Technology
Agricultural Technology sits at the intersection of food, data and engineering. It covers the tools, platforms and science that help farmers grow more with less: sensors in the soil, satellites in orbit, AI in the paddock, robotics in orchards, and cloud software in the dairy shed. In this tag you’ll find stories on everything from precision drones and nutrient-mapping satellites to livestock facial recognition, digital marketplaces and farm-focused fintech.
These articles follow how agritech startups, researchers, investors and established cooperatives are reshaping the full food value chain. They explore business models and funding rounds, cross-industry partnerships with telcos and cloud providers, space and IoT initiatives for remote monitoring, as well as the policy, connectivity and cybersecurity challenges that determine how quickly new tools reach the farm gate. Along the way, you’ll see real-world case studies of technology lifting productivity, improving environmental performance and opening new export channels.
Whether you’re a grower looking at data-driven decisions, a technologist eyeing a fast-growing vertical, or an investor tracking the next wave of innovation, this tag offers a grounded view of where agricultural technology is heading. Dive in to understand which solutions are gaining traction, what’s holding back adoption, and how AI, automation and digital finance are reshaping the future of farming and food security.
Kiwi Agricultural Technology News
Regional stories with direct local relevance
Microsoft says NZ contribution hits NZ$9.4bn in FY25
Microsoft's latest New Zealand impact report says its tech drove NZD $3.4 billion in productivity gains, with AI adoption spreading fast across sectors.
Scentian Bio raises GBP £5.5 million for food sensor
Scentian Bio raises GBP £5.5 million as it prepares to ship a handheld AI biosensor that can spot food quality problems earlier.
New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards names record 2026 finalists
New Zealand tech awards draw record entries as finalists span company growth, agritech and deep tech amid sector resilience.
Aimer Farming appoints Shane Nolan as Chief Revenue Officer
Aimer Farming names agritech veteran Shane Nolan chief revenue officer as it targets rapid growth for its AIMER pasture tool.
Hectre raises NZD $12m to power AI fruit data push
Auckland agritech firm Hectre raises NZD $12m in an oversubscribed Series A to scale its AI-powered fruit data platform globally.
Fantasy dairy league turns real New Zealand cows into stars
Meadow Fresh launches a fantasy league where real New Zealand cows earn points via smart-collar data, with NZD $20,000 up for grabs.
Featured News
Expert Columns
Interviews
Interviews and video coverage from the networkRecent Agricultural Technology News
Zespri speeds NZD $70m claims with SAP automation push
Zespri taps SAP cloud to automate over NZD $70m in annual quality claims, slashing processing times and boosting consistency worldwide.
Microsoft cloud region powers New Zealand's AI growth
Microsoft's NZ North cloud hub is powering Aotearoa's AI push, cutting costs, boosting skills and running on 100 per cent renewable energy.
Christchurch AI platform Caitlyn shines at AWS re:Invent
Christchurch-built AI platform Caitlyn stars at AWS re:Invent, showcasing secure, explainable enterprise search for sensitive data.
One NZ marks one year of Starlink-powered texts
One NZ marks a year of Starlink texts with 7m messages sent and 700,000 customers now able to connect beyond standard mobile coverage.
NZTech rebrands as Tech New Zealand, uniting groups
NZTech has rebranded as Tech New Zealand, uniting 16 tech Communities and the wider Tech Alliance under one national ecosystem voice.
Gallagher wins supreme honours as export growth tops 32 percent
Gallagher wins Supreme Award at NZ International Business Awards, boasting 32% export growth and aiming for NZD $1 billion global revenue soon.
Jade Software to acquire Contec, boosting SaaS & dairy focus
Jade Software to acquire Contec, enhancing its SaaS portfolio and boosting annual revenue by up to 25% through expansion in global dairy supply chain software.
Hyades AI platform brings nutrient-specific insights to farmers
Hyades has launched an AI platform that uses satellite data to provide farmers with precise nutrient-specific insights, enhancing crop and soil health management.
New Zealand farmers get high-speed broadband boost from Kuiper
New Zealand farmers gain improved high-speed satellite internet through Amazon's Project Kuiper, boosting digital tools across remote agricultural regions.
GrowPay launches to offer flexible digital finance for farmers
New Zealand's GrowPay launches a digital platform offering farmers flexible loans and payments to match seasonal cash flows and ease financial stress.
NZ small business sales show slow growth as jobs decline
NZ small businesses saw 1.9% sales growth year-on-year, but jobs fell 1.2%, with sectors like construction and hospitality facing ongoing challenges.
Industry leaders urge blockchain policy to protect NZ GDP future
Industry leaders warn New Zealand faces losing billions in GDP unless government acts to develop clear blockchain policy and regulatory frameworks.
KiwiNet appoints new Board leaders to drive NZ research impact
KiwiNet appoints Katherine Sandford as Chair and new Board members to boost commercialisation of New Zealand research amid sector reforms.
New Zealand job ads stabilise as spring brings early recruitment surge
Job ads in New Zealand rose 0.6% in July, marking a spring recruitment surge as tourism and IT sectors prepare for a busy summer season.
Gene study could cut chemical use by 80% in NZ wine sector
Lincoln University's genomic study aims to cut chemical use in New Zealand vineyards by up to 80%, boosting sustainable wine production and reducing costs.
SYOS Aerospace celebrates top honour at 2025 NZ Hi-Tech Awards
SYOS Aerospace has won the PwC Hi-Tech Company of the Year at the 2025 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, recognising its growth and international export success.
Phase One closes $2.1m fund, backs 14 tech startups
Phase One Ventures closes its early-stage NZD $2.1m fund after backing 14 startups, with 12 securing follow-on funding and creating 100+ jobs.
Record 300-plus firms shortlisted for New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards
Over 300 firms across New Zealand are finalists in the 30th Hi-Tech Awards, showcasing innovation across diverse tech sectors nationwide.
Bontia Bio secures NZD $1.25m for natural pest solutions
Bontia Bio has secured NZD $1.25 million in seed funding to develop sustainable plant-based solutions for pest control in pets and agriculture.
Fund the herd: How New Zealand can become a global innovation powerhouse
New Zealand stands on the brink of becoming a global tech leader, but it must cultivate more sustainable start-ups rather than focusing solely on unicorns.