Canterbury Is Leading The Way
As New Zealand's largest agricultural region, Canterbury is at the heart of the nation's agricultural strength, contributing one-fifth of New Zealand's agricultural GDP. With a diverse range of products from meat and dairy to plant-based innovations and world-class wine, the opportunities here are as rich as the land itself.
The region’s food, fibre, and agritech sector is built on a solid foundation of manufacturing expertise. Canterbury is committed to sustainability and pioneering innovative solutions that not only create high-value products but also embrace regenerative practices to address the challenges of climate change.
Discover a thriving ecosystem where research, development, and entrepreneurship come together. Here, investment and commercialisation drive breakthroughs that pave the way for a sustainable, prosperous future.
Welcome To Our Thriving Ecosystem
Navigate Canterbury’s food, fibre and agritech sector with our ecosystem map. From innovators to investors, find the organisations you need to connect with and map your pathway to success.
Discover Our Local Businesses
UMC Innovation
The number 8 wire has long been a symbol of Kiwi ingenuity, but Christchurch-based business UMC Innovation has left that concept in their dust. Their automated, world-first technology is able to essentially ‘knit’ wire fences with flexibility, speed and precision – and the global demand is out the gate.
Grater Goods
As a finalist in EY New Zealand Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024, Flip Grater knows how to grow a business. What began as a passion project – a failed attempt at vegan lunchboxes – has blossomed into Grater Goods, a thriving plant-based delicatessen that embodies innovation, sustainability and the support of a local ecosystem that empowers female entrepreneurs.
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Aroma
Aroma is a Christchurch company turning green-lipped mussels – and other natural ingredients – into health supplements that are exported around the world.
Leaft Foods
Leaft Foods exists to reduce the environmental impact of food production. Their technology extracts rubisco, the most plentiful protein on the planet, from green leaves in a form that is highly digestible for people.
Gourmate
Born from a pub meal between old friends Laura Wilkinson and Steph Mearns in 2019, Gourmate Pet Treat Co. launched in July 2020, during the height of the Covid pandemic. B Corp certified, Gourmate focuses on values and premium products for pets, driving the company's growth since its inception.
Rubisco
Hemp grown on the Canterbury plains will soon be processed in a Christchurch factory to make everything from packaging to building materials. Rubisco, a producer of premium, bespoke wool yarn for use in high-end residential carpets and private jets, is set to become a major player in the burgeoning New Zealand hemp industry.
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Ngāi Tahu Farming
Ash-Leigh Campbell's journey into agribusiness with Ngāi Tahu Farming was one of re-direction that opened her eyes to a broad range of opportunities.
Connect With Us
ChristchurchNZ’s business and investment team are a knowledgeable mix of professional, strategic thinkers with diverse skill sets. They love identifying opportunities and building relationships to make positive, impactful outcomes for both stakeholders and the city of Ōtautahi.
Hamish McGowan
Hamish’s career has been focused on commercialisation and getting innovation, research, and development into the marketplace. At ChristchurchNZ he leads the Food Fibre and Agritech cluster connecting companies, people and teams to inspire focus and growth. Hamish brings strong communication skills to his role and especially enjoys working with market focused professionals, technicians, engineers and scientists.
