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Primary sector investment projects
Find out about projects that have been funded through the Primary Sector Growth Fund and Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures.
Your search returned 17 projects
"Nurture First”: Development of a Greenshell Mussel Spat Nursery
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 5 years
- MPI funding: $2,818,095
- Co-investment funding: $4,227,142
- Sectors: Seafood/aquatic
- Sub-sectors: Farmed - marine shellfish
- Project partners: Spat Innovations Limited Partnership
- Regions: Nationwide
- Expected outcomes: Development of new products, technology, IP, Higher-value sector growth, Improved capability, Increased R&D investment and capability, New high-value markets, Sustainable fish stocks
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Project spend to date:
$279,102 (MPI contribution as at 31 March 2026)
A key bottleneck for the Greenshell mussel industry is the low survival rates for spat (wild caught and hatchery bred) when transferred onto mussel farms. This project will explore early intervention methods in the farming lifecycle to increase spat retention rates.
July to September 2025: Nurture First progress report [PDF, 79 KB]
Advancing the availability of norbormide rat toxin
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 4 years
- MPI funding: $229,197
- Co-investment funding: $387,404
- Sectors: Meat
- Sub-sectors: Poultry
- Project partners: Invasive Pest Control Limited
- Regions: Nationwide
- Expected outcomes: Development of new products, technology, IP, Increased R&D investment and capability, Reduced chemical usage where it damages the environment
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Project spend to date:
$137,518 (MPI contribution as at 31 March 2026)
Norbormide is non-persistent and highly toxic to rats. This project aims to investigate and establish the manufacturing and distribution supply chain for a norbormide-based rodenticide for domestic and international use in primary industries, conservation and residential settings.
AI-enabled tools to transform pastoral farm productivity
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 3 years
- MPI funding: $600,000
- Co-investment funding: $1,075,000
- Sectors: Agritech
- Sub-sectors: Other animal dairy products/research
- Project partners: Aimer Development Limited (Aimer Farming) with in-kind support from Ravensdown, Cropmark Seeds, Fonterra
- Regions: Nationwide, Waikato
- Expected outcomes: Climate change mitigation and prevention, Development of new products, technology, IP, Higher productivity, Higher-value sector growth, Improved capability
This project aims to develop an AI Agent that will optimise net greenhouse gas emissions, productivity and profit for perennial, hybrid and annual ryegrass, clover dominant dairy and beef pastures; and support early and effective farmer decision making.
Building a Premium Pathway
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 2 years
- MPI funding: $450,000
- Co-investment funding: $788,000
- Sectors: Horticulture
- Sub-sectors: Apples and pears
- Project partners: The Fresh Fruit Company of New Zealand Limited
- Regions: Nationwide
- Expected outcomes: Creation of regional employment opportunities, Increased farm gate returns, New high-value markets
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Project spend to date:
$116,792 (MPI contribution as at 31 March 2026)
Building a Premium Pathway is a strategic initiative to grow the value and visibility of New Zealand apples in the Japanese market. The project supports all New Zealand apple varieties and benefits growers nationwide by enhancing supply chain efficiency, strengthening cold storage capacity, and building long-term customer relationships.
Dairy Beef Opportunities
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 4 years
- MPI funding: $10,449,000
- Co-investment funding: $10,449,000
- Sectors: Meat
- Sub-sectors: Beef
- Project partners: DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Meat Industry Association, members of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand
- Regions: Nationwide
- Expected outcomes: Development of new products, technology, IP, Genetic Improvement, Higher productivity, Higher value/lower impact land use, Higher-value sector growth, Improved capability, Improved information and insights, Improved mental health, Maintained/improved market access, New high-value markets
This programme is designed to unlock the value of non-replacement dairy calves – those not needed to replenish dairy herds or already entering dairy-beef systems – by developing innovative, New Zealand-focused approaches that suit the country’s seasonal, pasture-based farming system. It focuses on 3 key areas: improving efficiency through genetics and systems; supporting smarter breeding and lactation strategies; and developing new pathways and value chains.
Dairy and beef sectors welcome Government investment in Dairy Beef Opportunities programme
Establishing a Bioproducts Contract Manufacturing Facility in New Zealand
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 3 years
- MPI funding: $1,635,500
- Co-investment funding: $3,062,430
- Sectors: Horticulture
- Sub-sectors: Other fruit/fruit products, Other vegetables/vegetable products
- Project partners: BioSouth Limited
- Regions: Canterbury
- Expected outcomes: Effective mitigation of pests and diseases, Higher-value sector growth, Improved capability, Improved waste management, Increased R&D investment and capability
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Project spend to date:
$273,439 (MPI contribution as at 31 March 2026)
This project aims to develop pilot scale production systems for bioproducts derived from microbial fermentation. This will take place at a contract manufacturing facility, which BioSouth Limited will establish with industry partners. The project will involve testing processes and finding ways to produce commercial volumes of bioproducts for primary industry markets in New Zealand and around the world.
Establishing a Viable Supply Chain for Asparagopsis Armata in New Zealand
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 3 years
- MPI funding: $1,350,000
- Co-investment funding: $2,150,000
- Sectors: Meat, Seafood/aquatic
- Project partners: Cawthron Institute
- Regions: Nationwide
- Expected outcomes: Climate change mitigation and prevention, Creation of regional employment opportunities, Higher-value sector growth, Improved capability, Increased R&D investment and capability
This project will establish robust large-scale farming of Asparagopsis armata in New Zealand to produce livestock feed. The project team will work with growers to optimise the conditions for large-scale Asparagopsis biomass production; establish robust methods for analysing bromoform levels in Asparagopsis; and support the development of an industrial Asparagopsis supply chain.
Forest hydrology toolbox: effective user-friendly tools
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 2 years
- MPI funding: $262,525
- Co-investment funding: $394,000
- Sectors: Forestry
- Project partners: Forest Growers Research Ltd, Otago Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council, Horizons Regional Council, Tararua District Council, City Forests, Port Blakely, Rayonier Matariki, Bio-economy Science Institute
- Regions: Nationwide
- Expected outcomes: Improved information and insights
This project will develop a user-friendly toolbox that translates complex scientific results and data on forest hydrology into usable and relevant information for stakeholders. This will contribute towards sustainable and resilient land use planning and water allocation.
Future-proofing the forestry industry - Red Needle Cast
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 4 years
- MPI funding: $477,493
- Co-investment funding: $821,489
- Sectors: Forestry
- Sub-sectors: Commercial forestry
- Project partners: Radiata Pine Breeding Company
- Regions: Nationwide
- Expected outcomes: Development of new products, technology, IP, Genetic Improvement, Reduced chemical usage where it damages the environment
- Project spend to date: $100,106 (MPI contribution as at 31 March 2026)
This project is exploring a non-chemical solution to combat Red Needle Cast, a damaging disease affecting Radiata Pine.
Hypoallergenic Ingredient Research and Development for CMPA
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 4 years
- MPI funding: $250,000
- Co-investment funding: $375,000
- Sectors: Dairy
- Sub-sectors: Cow dairy products
- Project partners: Tatua Co-Operative Dairy Company Limited
- Regions: Waikato
- Expected outcomes: Creation of regional employment opportunities, Development of new products, technology, IP, Higher-value sector growth, Increased R&D investment and capability, Maintained/improved market access
This project aims to develop new ingredients that are safe and effective for people with food allergies, specifically cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). It will assess new hydrolysed whey protein ingredients for use in CMPA applications.
Integrated weed management in a world of herbicide resistance
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 4 years
- MPI funding: $870,152
- Co-investment funding: $1,819,285
- Sectors: Arable, Horticulture
- Project partners: Foundation for Arable Research Incorporated, Seed Industry Research Council, Horticulture NZ Vegetable Research and Innovation Board, arable farmers, chemical companies (Bayer, PGG Wrightson Seeds)
- Regions: Nationwide
This project aims to equip arable and vegetable cropping farmers and industry stakeholders with reliable, up-to-date information, tools, and strategies for integrated weed management. This sustainable approach will help farm businesses maintain market access and profitability, and reduce the risk of herbicide resistance.
Kiwifruit Postharvest Industry Refrigerant Decarbonisation
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 3 years
- MPI funding: $700,000
- Co-investment funding: $1,050,000
- Sectors: Horticulture
- Sub-sectors: Kiwifruit
- Project partners: Trevelyans Pack and Cool Limited; DMS Progrowers Limited; Apata Group Limited; Seeka Limited; Hume Pack-n-Cool Limited; Deta Consulting Limited
- Regions: Bay of Plenty
- Expected outcomes: Climate change mitigation and prevention, Improved information and insights, Maintained/improved market access, Reduced emissions, Reduced production costs
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Project spend to date:
$440,506 (MPI contribution as at 31 March 2026)
This project will carry out a trial of the most effective replacements for the highest global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants and assess options for leak detection and prevention.
LeaderBrand LaserTech Project
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 2 years
- MPI funding: $489,375
- Co-investment funding: $734,064
- Sectors: Horticulture
- Sub-sectors: Other vegetables/vegetable products
- Project partners: LeaderBrand Produce Limited
- Regions: Gisborne
- Expected outcomes: Development of new products, technology, IP, Higher value/lower impact land use, Improved capability, Improved waste management, Reduced chemical usage where it damages the environment
This project will trial Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeder technology to control weeds in LeaderBrand crops. The LaserWeeder uses advanced cameras, artificial intelligence, and precision lasers to eliminate weeds without chemicals, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional methods. By reducing labour needs, lowering input costs, and minimising waste and environmental impact, the technology has strong potential to improve overall crop quality and efficiency.
Throughout the trial, the project will collect robust data on performance, costs, and return on investment. The results will be shared with the wider industry to help New Zealand growers make informed decisions about adopting laser‑weeding technology.
NZ Does it Better: Stage 2
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 1 year
- MPI funding: $499,000
- Co-investment funding: $750,000
- Sectors: Natural fibres
- Sub-sectors: Animal-based fibres
- Project partners: Acrux Wool Systems Limited
- Regions: Canterbury
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Project spend to date:
$226,000 (MPI contribution as at 31 March 2026)
This project builds on earlier work with MPI that transformed mid‑micron New Zealand wool into soft, comfortable, premium knitwear using advanced yarn processing and 3D knitting. This next stage aims to expand the product range into hard‑wearing garments, improve production efficiency, and support stronger market engagement to grow exports of high‑value mid‑micron wool clothing.
Optimizing Feed Solutions for New Zealand Salmon Farming
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 4 years
- MPI funding: $455,685
- Co-investment funding: $766,060
- Sectors: Seafood/aquatic
- Sub-sectors: Farmed - marine finfish
- Project partners: Nutreco New Zealand/Skretting Australia
- Regions: Marlborough
- Expected outcomes: Development of new products, technology, IP
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Project spend to date:
$196,303 (MPI contribution as at 31 March 2026)
Project summary:
This project will research and design fish feed specifically for New Zealand’s King salmon farming industry that is suitable for open sea farming. This will contribute to the long-term success of the industry.
Resilient Pastures
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 7 years
- MPI funding: $8,541,000
- Co-investment funding: $8,541,000
- Sectors: Dairy
- Sub-sectors: Other animal dairy products/research
- Project partners: DairyNZ
- Regions: Nationwide, Northland
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Project spend to date:
$146,450 (MPI contribution as at 31 March 2026)
This project aims to test alternative pasture species (grasses and clovers) to build resilience for New Zealand farmers in a changing and variable climate. It will develop climate change tolerant pastures and management techniques that integrate into existing farm systems.
The Missing N Project
- Fund name: Primary Sector Growth Fund
- Project start date:
- Project length: 3.5 years
- MPI funding: $250,000
- Co-investment funding: $340,000
- Sectors: Dairy
- Project partners: Hekeao Hinds Water Enhancement Trust, MHV Water, Align Farms
- Regions: Canterbury
- Expected outcomes: Development of new products, technology, IP, Higher-value sector growth, Improved information and insights, Increased R&D investment and capability
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Project spend to date:
$50,000 (MPI contribution as at 31 March 2026)
The vadose zone, also known as the unsaturated zone, is the Earth's subsurface area above the water table, which is critical for water filtration and storage. This project will install New Zealand’s first Vadose zone Monitoring System (VMS) in the Hekeao/Hinds Plains, Canterbury, to monitor subsoil and groundwater. It will compare its effectiveness alongside alternative vadose zone monitoring options to determine which method works best on-farm to monitor nutrient leaching.
