AGP Executive Report

Digital Banking: Revolut has become New Zealand’s 27th registered bank and its first digital-only bank, opening the door to savings accounts and planned credit cards. Network Resilience: Spark has restored EFTPOS services affected by a South Island outage and is investigating why payment connections were misrouted. Space: Rocket Lab completed its 99th Electron mission, launching a Japanese Earth-observation satellite from Māhia Peninsula as it approaches its 100th flight. Medical Research: New Zealand doctors used high-speed genetic testing to diagnose a critically ill baby, showing how rapid sequencing can guide urgent care. Research and Innovation: AUT and NZCIS have launched a hub to advance sports research and innovation in New Zealand.

EVs and Emerging Tech: Auckland’s first EV & Tech Expo will bring electric vehicles, robotics, AI and renewable energy to the Showgrounds on 13–15 November, as EVs and plug-in hybrids reach a quarter of new light-vehicle registrations. Medical Innovation: NZ doctors used high-speed genetic testing to diagnose a critically ill baby, showing how rapid testing can support urgent care. Space: Rocket Lab is targeting its 100th Electron launch after an iQPS radar-imaging mission. AI Infrastructure: Business leaders are urging clear national rules for AI data centres as demand for power and infrastructure grows. Clean Energy: Masdar is exploring a NZ$1 billion investment in solar, wind and storage, while AgriZeroNZ has committed $17.7 million to methane-vaccine trials.

Space: Rocket Lab is due to launch its 99th Electron mission from Māhia, carrying a Japanese radar satellite and bringing the company within one flight of 100 launches. Genomic Medicine: Auckland doctors used rapid whole-genome sequencing to diagnose a critically ill newborn within 72 hours, identifying a rare syndrome and helping the family avoid unnecessary procedures. Conservation Science: MIT and Unitec postgraduate researchers are studying endangered chevron skinks released on Aotea, gathering information to guide future translocations alongside iwi, DOC and Auckland Zoo. Water Quality: Canterbury monitoring found nitrate above drinking-water limits in 38 of 358 wells; levels have risen over the past decade in 59% of wells tracked, renewing concern for rural supplies.

Marine Science: Satellite tags have revealed the journeys of 11 rehabilitated green sea turtles, including one that travelled from Northland to Wellington and back. Researchers say the turtles do not breed in New Zealand. Digital Identity: New Zealand’s digital ID debate is shifting beyond government safeguards: routine age and identity checks could create records that, when combined, expose people’s activities and associations. Airport Technology: Air New Zealand and Hong Kong International Airport are the first to receive IATA’s One ID certification for digital identity and biometric processing. Medical Robotics: Anglesea Hospital in Waikato has introduced New Zealand’s first Toumai surgical robot. Renewable Energy: Masdar is exploring a NZ$1 billion investment in New Zealand solar, wind and storage projects; the proposal is under consideration, not a confirmed commitment. Geothermal Research: New Zealand scientists are pursuing deeper geothermal energy, aiming to unlock heat resources beyond current drilling depths. Research Infrastructure: The Government is lending Mātai Research Institute $20 million to support its expansion.

Marine Science: Satellite tags are revealing the travels of 11 rescued green sea turtles, including one that journeyed from Northland to Wellington and back. The DOC-led project found the turtles do not breed in New Zealand. Medical Robotics: Waikato’s Anglesea Hospital has brought in the country’s first Toumai surgical robot. Climate Research: AgriZeroNZ is putting $17.7 million toward methane-vaccine trials in New Zealand. Sports Innovation: AUT and NZCIS have launched a hub to advance sports research and technology. AI Infrastructure: Business leaders are urging clear national rules for data centres as New Zealand weighs the fast-growing technology’s needs.

Assistive Technology: Auckland student Jack Harker won a national innovation award for Parley, a communication tool developed with his uncle to help people with speech difficulties take part in real-time conversations. Kiwifruit Science: New Zealand researchers are helping growers in India’s Nagaland improve green kiwifruit production through a joint agricultural initiative. Medical Innovation: Waikato’s Anglesea Hospital has introduced New Zealand’s first Toumai surgical robot. Digital Infrastructure: Business leaders are calling for clear national rules for AI data centres, while Spark was named the country’s best 5G network; NextDC has put its Auckland data-centre plans on hold during a capital review. Climate and Agriculture: AgriZeroNZ is funding $17.7 million in methane-vaccine trials, and researchers have buried microscopic plastic in a New Zealand harbour to study how storms affect the seabed. Research and Health: Auckland fruit-tech company Hectre has opened a lab to develop hyperspectral technology. Separately, an Otago study found that 10-minute walks after meals reduced post-meal blood-sugar rises in people with type 2 diabetes.

Renewable Energy: Masdar and Invest New Zealand will explore up to NZ$1 billion in solar, wind and battery projects, including potential partnerships with Māori-owned businesses. No projects or investment timeline have been confirmed. Business Technology: Only 26% of New Zealand small businesses say technology investment improved profitability. While 88% of businesses in Australia and New Zealand use AI, just 11% have embedded it deeply, highlighting the challenge of turning adoption into results. Digital Infrastructure: A shortage of investment-ready projects and skilled talent is holding back growth, while business leaders are calling for clear rules for AI data centres. Climate Research: AgriZeroNZ has committed $17.7 million to methane-vaccine trials, and New Zealand scientists are studying how storms affect microscopic plastic buried in a harbour. Geothermal Science: Researchers hope to tap geothermal energy at greater depths, potentially opening a new source of power.

Renewable Energy: UAE’s Masdar is exploring NZ$1 billion in solar, wind and storage investment in New Zealand, but no projects or timeline have been announced. Telecommunications: Māori-owned Tū Ātea warns a proposed One NZ–2degrees network venture could control access to mobile infrastructure and sideline Māori spectrum. Medical Technology: Hamilton’s Anglesea Hospital has installed New Zealand’s first Toumai surgical robot; its first operation was completed last month. AI and Search: Google has begun showing sponsored links in AI Mode in New Zealand and nine other markets. Climate Science: AgriZeroNZ is funding $17.7 million in methane-vaccine trials in New Zealand.

AI Infrastructure: New Zealand business leaders are urging clear national rules for data centres, balancing investor certainty with community concerns over power, water and noise. Safe Water: Testing found 21 schools with nitrate levels above 5.65 mg/L—half the legal limit—with health advice recommending pregnant women avoid water above 5 mg/L. Sports Research: AUT and NZCIS have opened a hub in Upper Hutt to connect sports science research with elite athletes and real-world applications. Lower-Emission Farming: AgriZeroNZ is backing methane-vaccine trials in New Zealand dairy cows, with a local launch targeted for 2028, and increased support for seed-treatment company BioLumic. Geothermal Energy: New Zealand scientists are exploring ways to harness geothermal energy from greater depths. Agritech: Auckland start-up Hectre has opened a lab to develop hyperspectral technology for fruit scanning. Marine Science: A University of Auckland study found storm conditions changed oxygen use and nutrient flows in harbour sediments containing microscopic plastic.

Digital Travel: Air New Zealand and Hong Kong Airport became the first to earn IATA’s One ID certification, recognising digital identity and biometric processes for passenger journeys. Health Research: The Government is lending Mātai Research Institute $20 million for an expansion. Agri-tech: Auckland fruit-tech company Hectre has opened a lab to develop hyperspectral technology. Data Infrastructure: NextDC has put its Auckland data centre project on hold during a capital review. Wildlife Science: Satellite tracking has revealed previously hidden journeys by New Zealand’s green sea turtles.

AI and Data Control: Māori entrepreneur Tamawera Owens is preparing to launch MRTY, an AI venture whose products keep users’ work and information on their own devices rather than the cloud. Marine Science: Satellite tags have tracked 11 rehabilitated green sea turtles around New Zealand, revealing habitat hotspots from Northland to Auckland and journeys spanning thousands of kilometres. Regional Research: Gisborne’s Mātai Research Institute has secured a $20 million government loan towards a $28.4 million innovation centre, with construction expected to support about 70 jobs. Agritech: Auckland-based Hectre has opened a $5 million research lab to develop hyperspectral technology aimed at reducing fruit waste. Cybersecurity: An Auckland expert warns that newly found PHP vulnerabilities could let criminals hijack Kiwi business websites to host illicit content or launch attacks. Space: Rocket Lab launched three HawkEye 360 satellites from New Zealand, extending its Electron mission record and boosting space-based signals intelligence.

Health Technology: A New Zealand trial across six hospitals found point-of-care heart tests cut emergency department stays by 47 minutes on average, with no increase in heart attacks or cardiac deaths after discharge. Digital Travel: Air New Zealand is among the first to earn IATA certification for digital identity and biometric standards, aimed at smoother airport journeys while protecting passenger information. Agritech: Christchurch company Hectre has opened a $5 million research lab to develop AI-powered fruit scanning and help reduce food waste. Clean Energy: Masdar will explore up to NZ$1 billion in New Zealand solar, wind and battery projects, including potential partnerships with Māori businesses. Research and Startups: A new technology hub has launched in Christchurch, while New Zealand’s advanced technology institute is beginning work in AI, quantum technologies and advanced materials. Space: Rocket Lab launched three satellites from New Zealand for signals-intelligence company HawkEye 360, strengthening its space-surveillance capabilities.

Antarctic Science: Earth Sciences New Zealand has retired Dobson #17 after 38 years measuring ozone above Antarctica. Its unique record helped track the ozone hole’s recovery. Startup Ecosystem: Christchurch has opened NEST, a 1,100-square-metre startup hub bringing founders, investors, researchers and business support under one roof, with plans for a wider national network. Agritech: Kiwi company Hectre has opened a $5 million research lab to develop AI-powered scanning that checks fruit quality inside, aiming to reduce waste. Space: Rocket Lab’s Electron has completed its 98th launch, carrying three HawkEye 360 satellites to expand radio-frequency monitoring from space. Clean Energy: Sunergise plans to acquire Infratec, combining two major New Zealand solar businesses as investment in renewable power continues.

Digital Infrastructure: Watercare has appointed Martine Watson as chief digital officer. She joins in February as the utility prepares a $15.2 billion programme of water and wastewater investment across Auckland. Climate Science: Earth Sciences New Zealand researchers found wildfire-related methane rose sharply in the atmosphere from mid-2023 to 2025, as global greenhouse gas concentrations hit new highs. Space: Rocket Lab’s 98th Electron mission launched three HawkEye 360 satellites from New Zealand, expanding the company’s radio-frequency detection constellation. Agtech: New Zealand start-up Hectre has opened a $5 million lab to develop AI-powered hyperspectral fruit-scanning technology.

Space Technology: Rocket Lab launched three HawkEye 360 satellites, expanding a radio-frequency detection constellation. Agtech: Hectre has opened a $5 million lab to develop AI-powered hyperspectral fruit-scanning technology. Cleantech: Auckland start-up Hydroxsys is in liquidation, owing creditors $3.1 million after years of development and fundraising. Digital Infrastructure: Watercare has appointed Martine Watson as chief digital officer, ahead of a decade-long, $15.2 billion programme to upgrade Auckland’s water and wastewater systems. Renewable Energy: Sunergise is acquiring Infratec from WEL Networks, bringing two major New Zealand solar businesses together. Start-up Funding: New Zealand start-ups raised $775.7 million across 68 deals in the first half of 2026, more than in all of 2025, with investment spanning agtech, space, software and deep tech.

AI Adoption: More New Zealand small businesses are taking up AI, with the number holding back shrinking. AI and Accessibility: Tāngata Turi are raising concerns about risks AI could pose to New Zealand Sign Language. Space Technology: Rocket Lab’s 98th Electron mission deployed three HawkEye 360 satellites, while the company is also expanding its space-surveillance capabilities. Conservation Tech: Satellites are tracking backcountry toilets in New Zealand and could help detect predators. Water Research: A New Zealand study found pine planting reduced annual streamflow by nearly 30% in one Waikato catchment and 4.7% in another.