Rebuild your networking muscles: biotech events ahead

In this issue

• Insights from the Executive Director 
• BioTechNZ news and highlights
• What’s happening around the country and across the ditch?

Insights from the Executive Director

This month has been all about organising BioTechNZ’s in-person networking events and the Life Sciences Summit, 22-23 March, in Wellington. After more than two years of making connections via Zoom, members are eager to reconnect face-to-face and move around New Zealand and internationally. The border opening will greatly accelerate the change; I have just travelled back from Australia and underestimated the additional stress of taking a COVID-19 test and waiting for the results just before flying.

BioTechNZ news and highlights

It’s been another great month for media appearances, both from BioTechNZ and from other biotech sources, and it’s exciting to see the successes of our biotech companies. There is a lot more noise from the National Party. They are very active in the science space, meeting a number of our biotech companies. 

Plus, it was a great win to see the Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall as the Minister for COVID-19 Response, Minister for Research, Science and Innovation, and the Associate Minister of Health. Ayesha is an infectious diseases doctor. She is passionate about preventing illness so that every New Zealander can enjoy good health and live a free and full life. She has previously been the Minister for Food Safety.

However, in terms of the Government’s review of New Zealand’s genetic modification regulation, there is little movement. The Hon David Parker told Newshub Nation, “We are not proposing a root and branch review.” Rather, any changes would be narrow and focused on the health sector. Secretary to the Treasury Dr Caralee McLiesh says New Zealand is missing opportunities because of its regulatory barriers to genetic modification.

BioTechNZ is a membership organisation supporting the use of all biotech technologies, from traditional through to modern, and believes that New Zealand businesses and researchers should have the ability to use all the tools globally available.

Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways Green Paper

Check out the feedback from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) around the Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways.

What’s happening around the country and across the ditch?

Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (previously called Agcarm)

Thursday, 28 July 2022, Wellington, Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable Street

Attend the premier networking event and hear from industry experts in crop science and animal health, plus get motivational inspiration from our very own rugby legend, Ian Jones, ‘the Kamo Kid’. Get tickets.

Accelerating Crop Bioprotectant Development from New Zealand:

Building a New Zealand community targeting global markets

Friday, 29 July 2022, Wellington, IT Professionals, Level 4/2-6 Gilmer Terrace 

This year’s event immediately follows the Animal and Plant Health Annual Conference. Please extend your travel bookings to include this important BioTechNZ event too. Note that this is an in-person event only. Register here. 

Success stories
BioTechNZ members, please send your news to us so we can share your success stories with the biotech community.

Zahra Champion
Executive Director