Environment & Cleantech

Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua

As people disappear from sight, the land remains

Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) is a core value of UniServices and Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Research into environmental stewardship and entrepreneurship are a key focus for us. University researchers are creating wireless charging systems for electric vehicles, turning greenhouse gas emissions into solids, recovering phosphorus from wastewater, breaking down hazardous waste, and more.

Researchers across the University focus on sustainability and sustainable outcomes. Research centres including Ngā Ara Whetū: Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society, the Energy Centre, the Energy and Environment Group, the Geothermal Institute, the Transportation Research Centre and the Circular Innovations Research Centre have a focus on cleantech. UniServices and the University are also part of New Zealand’s CleanTech Mission partnership.

UniServices-backed sustainability-oriented companies include Vortex Power Systems, which is working on a revolutionary method to produce clean electricity from waste heat; EnPot, which is reducing the carbon footprint of aluminium; and Cirrus Materials Science, which creates stronger coating materials with less environmental impact.

Case Studies

Vortex Power Systems: Revolutionary green energy

Cirrus Materials Science: Better, cleaner coatings

Co-location – Conservation International Aotearoa

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Our Collaborators

Whether you’re a researcher, entrepreneur, investor, government, business, iwi, student, community or other organisation, learn how we can work with you.

Advancing Research

UniServices helps researchers in areas such as securing funding, connecting people, developing capacity and applying research commercially or for public good.

Commercialising Research

At UniServices, we’ve invested in more than 65 companies and have licensed over 480 patent families. We could help you bring your research to market too.

Engineering & Materials

With New Zealand’s top faculty of engineering at our doorstep, UniServices has access to a strong pipeline of technological ideas we help bring to life.

News and Features

Blue and Green Technology Conference focuses on combatting climate crisis

12 December 2022

Some 240 entrepreneurs, researchers, policy makers, investors and social innovators gathered 7-8 December in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for Aotearoa New Zealand’s cleantech event of the year.

Vortex Power Systems: Powering energy revolution – literally

26 October 2022

The Vortex Power Systems vision is to generate power from waste heat at industrial plants via a stable whirlwind, contributing to a carbon-zero future.

Building people- and climate-friendly cities

18 October 2022

New Zealand has one of the highest car ownership rates in the world. Policies made it so and policies can change it, say Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland experts.

Making geothermal energy truly sustainable

09 September 2022

With more than $6 million in new MBIE funding, University of Auckland researchers are working to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of geothermal energy.

Environment & Cleantech Contacts

Analeise Murahidy

Executive Director, Strategic Growth

a.murahidy@auckland.ac.nz
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.

Que (Howard) Zheng

Business Development Manager – Environment and Cleantech

howard.zheng@auckland.ac.nz
More about Howard

Howard, who joined UniServices in 2021, has experience cultivating innovations within academic and commercial environments. He holds two Master of Engineering degrees in chemical and material engineering, and a bachelor’s in biological engineering. Contact about: Advancing research and partnerships related to transportation, infrastructure, circular economy, cleantech, environment or climate response.

Benjamin Pearson

Senior Investment Manager – Engineering, Cleantech, Space Tech

benjamin.pearson@auckland.ac.nz
More about Ben

Ben joined UniServices in 2017 and is currently a senior Investment manager for the University of Auckland Inventors Fund. Contact about: Investment in engineering-related technologies including in cleantech, robotics and space.

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