Its 2035. New Zealand’s food and beverage innovation system is globally recognised, not for its scale, but for its coherence. It’s a system powered by purpose, shaped by trust, and built on the foundations of collective intelligence – a living, learning system. This is the future we are creating, not waiting for, but actively making.
Gone are the days of fragmented efforts and siloed breakthroughs. Aligned through a clear identity and vision, our ecosystem is characterised by connected platforms, synergised capabilities, and a culture of openness. Innovation is no longer seen as a competitive edge for a few, it’s a collaborative endeavour for all, accelerating growth on the global stage. We compete on today and collaborate on tomorrow.
The ecosystem is underpinned by technology coordinates and optimises through digital twins and AI-driven insights to enable smarter, more efficient sharing and utilisation of assets. By making the invisible visible, we will be able to simulate scenarios – "what if" models – to test the impact of seasonal usage, equipment sharing, shifting production runs, or pooling resources, coordinating multiple partners in a supply chain.
Early-stage businesses can prototype at speed, supported by real-time consumer data, expanded open-access infrastructure, and a national network of experts and investors. Beyond individual facilities, a digital network platform has been scaled nationwide and integrated globally, building communities and facilitating connections across the value chain; from primary producers to manufacturers, regulators, distributors, research organisations, investors, start ups, corporates, and the market.
Platforms like NZFIN are tasked with pulling the ecosystem together, establishing cross-sector collaboration as the norm, not the exception. As a country, we place high-value on the intermediaries that cluster, connect, and orchestrate to be force multipliers. Backed by our innovation facilities, NZFIN remains relevant and regarded as an activation agency, and has connected new and exisiting regional infrastructure under a unified banner. Relationships span startups and iwi, scientists and chefs, policy-makers, international innovation networks and global brands. New Zealand is an exemplar of a highly-connected F&B innovation ecosystem, driving sustainable value for industry, for our producers, and for our people.
New Zealand’s size becomes our advantage, and we excel at combining forces strategically. We mobilise faster, pilot more boldly, and scale the impact of our technology and production systems beyond our borders to solve global challenges. Ingredients once seen as waste and surplus have been transformed into stories of circular victories instead of missed opportunity through a coordinated value chain. Our missions – whether climate-smart proteins or zero-waste supply chains – aren’t hypothetical. They are active examples for how we work together.
We’ve learned that innovation doesn’t start with the end-product. It starts with the structures that allow people to share risk, co-invest in ideas, and pursue long-term outcomes. We see the ecosystem not as a pipeline, but as a living mesh of relationships and capabilities.
Looking ahead, NZFIN continues to play a catalysing role. Not as a gatekeeper, but as a trusted broker, connector, and committed coach. We are the destination for F&B industry innovation, ensuring that physical infrastructure is underpinned by strong relational networks, and that no ambition is left behind.
This is the future we are shaping – not by chance, but by choice. By reframing, reimagining, rebuilding, and re-envisioning, we’re forging an innovation system that reflects the best of who we are: bold, connected, and grounded in this beautiful place we call home.
