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September 2026
Read the latest news from MPI's investment portfolio – including the Primary Sector Growth Fund (PSGF) and our legacy funds: Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) and Primary Growth Partnership (PGP).
Circular waste solution for Marlborough wine sector
As disposal options for winery lees, a by-product of winemaking, become more constrained and costly, PSGF is partnering with the Marlborough wine industry on a practical, long-term solution. The project will turn a waste challenge into an opportunity by collecting winery lees from participating wineries and converting it into a safe, high-value soil amendment made from lees, compost, and biochar. The benefits will be far reaching: reducing waste and emissions, improving soil health, and creating a new value stream for growers.
New technology aims to transform fruit quality assessment
A new $4.6 million research programme is set to transform how fruit quality is assessed in New Zealand packhouses. Led by agritech company Hectre and co-funded by PSGF, the project will develop advanced hyperspectral imaging technology that can assess the internal quality of fruit in real time, helping reduce waste, improve decision-making, and protect the value of premium produce.
Photo: Hectre CEO Matty Blomfield.
Squeezing value from blackcurrants
PSGF is investing $300,000 in a new project to help New Zealand's blackcurrant industry capture more value from exports and strengthen its presence in premium international markets. The initiative aims to position New Zealand as a global leader in science-backed blackcurrant products and high-value health ingredients.
VoMo takes mass timber construction to next level
In August, Rotorua’s Red Stag mill celebrated the opening of a new production line using cross-laminated timber (CLT) to prefabricate fully fitted mass timber modules. PSGF is investing $3.2 million in the $8 million VoMo project, which is assessing a modular manufacturing system with potential applications in housing, hotels, offices and student accommodation, creating more value and jobs from New Zealand timber.
Helping southern scallops make a comeback
The southern scallop fishery in Tasman and Golden Bays was once New Zealand's largest commercial scallop fishery. PSGF is co-investing $1.97 million in a seven-year restoration programme so future generations can again benefit from a healthy and productive fishery.
Sleep with the power of wool
Can wool improve your sleep? A PSGF-backed project will see Wisewool undertake the world's first human clinical sleep trial, comparing New Zealand strong wool bedding with synthetic alternatives. The findings could help unlock new export opportunities for New Zealand wool.
Mid-Rise Wood Construction programme leaves lasting legacy
The Mid-Rise Wood Construction programme concluded on 30 June 2026, marking the end of nearly eight years of industry collaboration supported through MPI's PGP programme. By helping project teams understand and apply mass timber solutions, the programme contributed to a stronger foundation for timber construction in New Zealand. Explore the programme's legacy at the link below, including the resources, projects and insights that continue to support the sector.
Photo: Construction of Clearwater Quays Apartment in Christchurch, a five-level, luxury, residential apartment, completed through the programme in 2022.
Iwi-led investment platform to grow aquaculture sector
An SFF Futures-supported project has helped ten iwi of Te Moana a Toi establish Te Tū A Toi Holdings, an iwi-owned investment partnership for large-scale mussel farming. The new collective has already committed capital and secured a cornerstone investment in Whakatōhea Mussels. It is now progressing plans to develop up to 5,000 hectares of marine farm space in the eastern Bay of Plenty, creating future jobs and export earnings.
Laser Weeder seeks to revolutionise weed management
A PSGF-backed trial is testing whether Carbon Robotics’ Laser Weeder can transform weed control in LeaderBrand crops. The AI-powered technology uses cameras and precision lasers to eliminate weeds without chemicals, with the potential to cut costs, reduce environmental impacts and improve crop quality and farm efficiency.
New evidence a boost for goat milk formula
Compelling new clinical evidence is adding rigour to the Dairy Goat Co-operative’s market-growth story as a leader in premium whole goat milk formula. Co-funded by MPI and DGC, Caprine Innovations has supported international research into the whole goat milk formula DGC has pioneered for more than 30 years, alongside work to strengthen sustainable, resilient dairy goat farming in New Zealand.
World-first open ocean King salmon farm begins operations in Marlborough
New Zealand King Salmon has reached a major milestone in its MPI-backed Blue Endeavour project, with the official launch of the world’s first open ocean King salmon farm. Located seven kilometres off Cape Lambert, the farm now has all key infrastructure in place, with the first salmon successfully transferred to their new offshore home during May and June.
Log ID technology boosts timber traceability
Forest Growers Research (FGR) and Polish tech company Deeplai have successfully demonstrated a world-first log identification system that gives every harvested log a unique, scannable digital identity. The Log ID technology will reduce manual marking and tagging costs, improve stock records, and strengthen timber traceability across the supply chain. This innovation was developed through the Forestry Work in the Modern Age partnership between FGR and MPI.
FloMo approved for targeting scampi
MPI has approved the use of FloMo to target scampi from 9 September. The Kiwi-developed trawling technology was developed through the MPI-backed Precision Seafood Harvesting programme and has received further support through SFF Futures as it moves towards commercialisation. Trial results showed a 60% reduction in discards, a 73% reduction in sea perch bycatch, and improved selectivity for larger Grade 1-3 scampi.
Abodo launches world-first fire-compliant* timber
Abodo Wood has launched Abodo Vaaro® Fire, a world-first ultra-durable, fire compliant* timber developed through an SFF Futures-funded project. Already used in the renovation of Hamilton Central Library (pictured), the product has been tested against New Zealand, Australian, European and American standards. It could open new opportunities for New Zealand timber in global construction markets.
*In New Zealand, Vaaro has been tested to and has achieved AS/NZS 3837:1998 Type A and ISO 9705:2003 Group 1-S (NZ)
Sustainability Innovation Award for kiwifruit refrigerant project
A PSGF-backed project helping decarbonise the kiwifruit industry's refrigeration systems has won the FMG Sustainable Innovation Award at the 2026 Horticulture Industry Awards.
The pilot project is helping the kiwifruit industry transition away from high-emission refrigerants and has already delivered upgrades across 29 refrigeration systems, reducing potential emissions by more than 17,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. The project's first report is now available.
Future Award for Hāpi Research Programme
The joint venture between Garage Project and Freestyle Hops has won the inaugural Brewers Guild of New Zealand Beer Awards’ Future Award for its industry-leading Hāpi Research Programme. Judges recognised its development of new hop varieties, innovative thiol testing and industry-wide collaboration. Hāpi – Brewing Success is a 10-year PGP programme helping shape the future of New Zealand hops and beer.
Photo (from left): Garage Project staff Dave Bell, Ian Gillespie and Kit Fottrell.
Big win for Puro at Cannabiz Awards 2026
Puro has taken out Cultivator of the Year at the 2026 Cannabiz Awards, while co-founder Sank Macfarlane was named Business Leader of the Year. The Marlborough company grows 92% of New Zealand's medicinal cannabis exports and is continuing its international expansion, with recent entry into the UK market and plans to export to Germany later this year.
Photo (from left): Puro co-founders Tom Forrest, Sank Macfarlane and Tim Aldridge.
Evidence shows plantain effective for reducing nitrogen losses
New results from the MPI-backed Plantain Potency and Practice programme, led by DairyNZ, provide further evidence that incorporating plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and farm profitability.
