Agriculture & Food

He kai kei aku ringa

There is food at the end of my hands

Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland researchers have developed ways to improve cattle reproduction, train orchard staff to prune grapevines using virtual reality and teach calves to use a ‘urinal’ to reduce water contamination and greenhouse gas emissions.

The University hosts multi-institutional projects including the High-Value Nutrition | Ko Ngā Kai Whai Painga National Science Challenge and MaaraTech, which is bringing data and automation to orchards and vineyards.

UniServices has worked with the University’s Photon Factory to spin out Engender, which developed a method to sort bull sperm, and Orbis Diagnostics, which originally aimed to help farmers time artificial insemination. Cropsy and Hectre are among the start-ups founded by students or alumni, while Nuka was founded by faculty members.

Agriculture & Food Contacts

Analeise Murahidy

Executive Director, Strategic Growth

More about Analeise

Analeise has been with UniServices since 2009. Prior to joining UniServices she held contract management, operations and business development roles within the tertiary sector in the UK and New Zealand. In 2024 she was appointed to the role of Executive Director, Strategic Growth.

Pau Medrano

Investment Director – Biotechnology

More about Pau

Pau is a mathematician and bioengineer by training, with a background in research and international business development. He manages the BioMedTech team, with a portfolio of 20+ companies, and is a manager of the University of Auckland Inventors' Fund. Contact about: investing in disruptive BioMed technologies.

Aran Sisley

Investment Manager – Biotech and Pharma

More about Aran

Aran is an investment manager for the University of Auckland Inventors’ Fund. He has previously worked as a commercialisation analyst, postdoctoral scientist, project manager and sculptor. He has a PhD in ocular lens physiology and a Master of Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship. Contact about: Commercialising or investing in biotech, pharmaceuticals, agritech.